Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Bond Reduced On Two Murder Suspects

By JOHN MILLER

Trial dates have been set for the three men accused in the beating death Jakie McKinnon on Nov. 9.

The three, Johnny Cason, 26, of Arkadelphia, Keith Aaron Buchheit, 24, of Hooks, Texas, and Toby Craig, 28, also of Hooks, were formally charged with first degree murder on Nov. 21 by Eighth Judicial District Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Danny Rodgers.

Eighth Judicial District Circuit Judge Phillip Purifoy declined to hold the trials together and set three separate dates.

Craig's pretrial date is scheduled for May 7, 1997, with the trial set for May 19, 1997.

Cason's pretrial is slated for June 3, 197, with his trial set June 16, 97.

Buchheit has a pretrial date of Aug. 5, 1997, with his trial set for Aug. 11, 1997.

However, all the trial dates for all three are subject to change.

First degree murder is a class Y felony, punishable by being sentenced to 10-40 years in prison or life.

Each of the three has different attorneys, with Craig represented by Chuck Honey. According to court documents, Buchheit has retained the Paul Dickerson firm of Texarkana, though Gene Hale, public defender, represented him Thursday, Nov. 22, when the trial dates were set. Cason has John Pickett, with the Damon Young firm of Texarkana.

In addition, bond was reduced for Buchheit and Craig during hearings held later in the afternoon. Craig's bond was dropped from $500,000 to $300,000, while Buchheit's was cut in half, from $500,000 to $250,000.

Pleas of not guilty were entered on behalf of all suspects.

The affidavit of arrest, a matter of public record under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, states Craig, acting with complicity and as accomplices with Cason and Buchheit on or about Nov. 9, to commit or attempt to commit felony, Arkansas code 1987 annotated 5-13-201, battery in the first degree, battery second degree (5-13-202) and aggravated assault (5-13-204).

However, in the course and furtherance of these felonies, or in the immediate flight therefrom, records state, they caused the death of Jakie H. McKinnon, 45, of Prescott, thereby violating Arkansas Code 5-10-102, murder in the first degree.

After learning of McKinnon's death after the beating, the three turned themselves into the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.

Craig wrote a statement describing the incidents leading to the beating, yet the document was not signed under advisement of Honey, his attorney. This is shown by a note on the statement by investigator Scott Clark with the Arkansas Sate Police, even though Craig reportedly read it and made corrections and additions in Clark's presence.

Cason refused to sign a waiver of rights form, though all questions on the document were answered and bear his initials.

When the three made their first appearance in court Nov. 13, McKinnon's sister, Joan Barton, who acted on behalf of the family, asked presiding Judge Jim Hudson to deny bail.

However, Hudson granted bail to all, giving, as his reasons, the law required him to do so as the three had no prior criminal histories, all had responsible jobs and families.

He did, though, state as part of their bond agreements, none of those charged in the murder of McKinnon could have any dealings with the McKinnon family, were not allowed to drink, take drugs or be in possession of any weapons.