Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Argument Led To Beating

By JOHN MILLER

One man is dead and three others face possible charges of first degree murder.

Toby Craig, Johnny Cason and Keith Buchheit have been arrested in connection with the beating death of Jakie McKinnon Nov. 9 in the deer woods.

Apparently an argument concerning deer hunting rights got out of hand when Craig was unable to pay his annual club dues and McKinnon told him to remove his deer stand from the leased property.

The "feud" escalated when McKinnon claimed Craig "snitched" on him for hunting out of season and causing him to get a ticket.

According to court records, the three went to an area known as Howard Creek Low Water Bridge Road looking for McKinnon.

The records show Craig and McKinnon had been having trouble since July when Craig informed McKinnon he couldn't afford his annual dues at the hunting club.

McKinnon reportedly gave Craig a week to remove his stand from the leased property, which he did with Buchheit's help.

However, Craig returned to the camp during muzzleloading season with his dad and saw McKinnon.

Craig said he attempted to talk with McKinnon, who said he couldn't afford to do anything.

Records state McKinnon allegedly called Craig about a week later, asking how his birthday was going, then claiming Craig "snitched" on him for poaching.

According to Craig's statement, he had gone by McKinnon's house on Friday, Oct. 18, before muzzleloading season opened and saw three deer hanging up behind the McKinnon home.

The statement reflected Craig's knowledge of this to be illegal and he called Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife officer Bill Vanscoy, who wrote McKinnon a ticket for possession of illegal meat.

McKinnon then allegedly went by Tim Hall's house, telling people he would "get them" for what they had done and sent a note to Craig's father telling him he didn't want them (the Craig's) in "his (McKinnon's) bottoms."

According to the statement, McKinnon caused trouble for Craig's father as well.

On the day of the murder, the three had gone to buy beer and then went by Craig's uncle's and father's houses.

They then went "riding around" and Craig, according to the statement, decided to find McKinnon and set everything straight.

The trio met McKinnon on Low Water Bridge Road, while he was in his truck. Both vehicles stopped, with Craig getting out and going over to McKinnon.

"I said I told you to leave my daddy alone and you didn't," Craig's statement reflects with the suspect reaching inside the truck and striking McKinnon, who drove off.

The three drove about a quarter of a mile down the road where they turned around, according to records.

They met McKinnon again, but this time he was out of his truck and holding his gun.

Another man at the scene, Shane Henry, went into the woods. According to Craig's statement, he told the other two to get the man who went into the woods because he may be armed and could shoot them.

The statement shows the three stopped between 30 and 50 yards from McKinnon with Craig getting out with Cason's shotgun.

He allegedly walked to McKinnon, taking the barrel of McKinnon's gun and pushing it up.

However, there is a conflict as Buchheit also said he was the one who took McKinnon's weapon from him.

The other man's weapon was also taken and placed in McKinnon's truck.

At this time, according to records, Cason and Buchheit were holding McKinnon who was cursing. They reportedly let go of McKinnon before Craig hit him.

Records state McKinnon fell when first struck by Craig, who allowed him to get up. According to the statement, McKinnon was "mouthing off" when he got up and Craig hit him again, with the other two joining in.

Craig's statement shows conflict as to whether Craig kicked McKinnon or not. At one point, he states he "never kicked him," but did hit McKinnon in the head and ribs.

The statement then reflects Craig as saying, "I don't remember kicking him." However, records state Cason and Buchheit did kick the victim.

According to records, before the three left Craig said, "Do you understand now to leave my daddy alone?" with McKinnon answering yes.

Buchheit, according to the statement, drove McKinnon's truck into the ditch near McKinnon, removed the keys and threw them into the woods so he couldn't follow them or go for help.

The three then allegedly went to Bill Hall's house to tell him and his son Tim what happened.

Cason returned to his home in Arkadelphia, while Craig and Buchheit went to Craig's father's home.

According to records, Tim Hall later called Craig telling him McKinnon was dead.

Craig contacted the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, reports state.

According to Craig's statement, the three "never ganged up" on McKinnon though all were involved in the beating.

According to NCSO reports, the three went to the Howard Creek area looking for McKinnon, found him and physical violence erupted resulting in McKinnon's death.

These reports state McKinnon's vehicle was intentionally driven into a ditch with the keys thrown into the woods to keep him from leaving the scene or getting help.

Henry, a witness to the beating, said three men in a small dark colored pickup had approached him asking where McKinnon was. When he told them they left.

McKinnon, the reports state, drove up to where Henry was, saying he was hurt.

The three returned, with two fighting with McKinnon while the other held Henry, who was released and told to leave.

According to the reports, Henry fled on foot to get help, going back to camp and telling the other hunters what was happening.

Three men went to call for help, while Henry, Keith Massey and Ed Grice returned to the scene of the altercation.

Massey reportedly attempted to find a pulse but couldn't and did a chest compression. Blood came from McKinnon's mouth when his chest was pressed down, with the men leaving to get medical help.

NCSO reports state the three went to the home of Bill Hall and told Hall and others present what had happened.

According to reports, the three suspects were wet and had been in water.

No formal charges have been filed against the trio as yet. Officials are awaiting results from McKinnon's autopsy before deciding on what charges to file.

McKinnon's body has been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The clothing worn by the three has also been sent to the crime lab for testing.

Craig, Buchheit and Cason are scheduled to appear in court next on Nov. 25, when they are scheduled for formal arraignment.