Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Judge Says No More Postponements Allowed

A firm court date has been set for the Toby Craig murder case.

According to 8th Judicial Circuit Chancery Judge Phillip Purifoy, Craig will be tried for the murder of Jakie McKinnon from Aug. 11-15. The judge has said there will be no further delays in this case, even if the attorney is having health problems.

The trial has been delayed twice because Craig's lawyer, Chuck Honey, has been diagnosed as having pneumonia and was unable to handle the duties involved.

But, in this situation, Purifoy has said if Honey isn't able to handle Craig's defense, his assistant should be ready because the case will be tried from Aug. 11-15 in the Nevada County court.

However, this is also the dates set aside for Kieth Buchheit, another defendant in the McKinnon case.

Johnny Cason, the third defendant in the case, was set to go on trial June 16, but because of the delays with Craig, didn't. At this time, no date has been scheduled for Cason to appear in court.

Another problem in the case with Craig and Buchheit, is Honey had previously filed a motion to keep the cases separate. This would mean Craig and Buchheit could not be tried at the same time.

All three have been charged with first degree murder in connection with the beating death of McKinnon on Nov. 9, 1996.

Allegedly, the murder occurred because of a conflict over hunting rights on leased timber property.