Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Murder Conviction Appealed By Craig

By JOHN MILLER

Intent to appeal the first degree murder conviction of Toby Craig has been made by the Honey and Honey Law Firm.

In fact, the intent was made the same day Craig was convicted for the beating death of Jake McKinnon, Friday, Aug. 15.

According to Marsha Basinger, who was Chuck Honey's assistant during the trial, there are no specific grounds for the appeal as of yet.

She said until the firm gets the complete transcript of the trial nothing can be done.

However, the appeal will be based on the many objections Honey made during the trial.

Craig was the first of three suspects in the McKinnon case to go to trial. Keith Buchheit, 28, of Hooks, Texas, and Johnny Cason, 24, of Arkadelphia, are scheduled to have a pretrial hearing on Oct. 14, with their trials to be held Nov. 3.

However, attorneys in the cases have asked for separate trials for their clients. This means there will be a delay until the court decides who will be tried when.

McKinnon was beaten to death Nov. 9, 1996 in the deer woods off Suckles Lake Road.