Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Investigation Continues Into Slaying; First Court Date Set For Wednesday

By JOHN MILLER

Deer season opened tragically in Nevada County as one man was beaten to death in the deer woods Saturday.

According to Nevada County Sheriff Harold Vines, Jakie H. McKinnon, 45, of Prescott, was reportedly beaten to death by three men.

Apparently, there had been a feud between McKinnon and the others for some time. Vines said the situation had been brewing and "came to a head," Saturday afternoon in the deer woods.

The incident occurred on the Suckle Lake Bottom Road area off county road 42 on a timber company road. Vines said officials had to cross a low water bridge across Howard Creek to get to the murder site.

Vines said the NCSO received a call at 6:54 p.m. concerning an altercation in the area, with someone possibly being seriously injured.

An ambulance was dispatched along with deputies with the NCSO and Sgt. Cleve Barfield with the Arkansas State Police.

Upon arrival, McKinnon was found in a ditch by the road, while his pickup truck was stuck in a ditch a few yards away. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Nevada County Coroner Ricky Burke.

Officers came up with three suspects during their initial probe into the situation, which led to the arrest of Kieth Aaron Buchheit, 24, of Hooks, Texas, Toby Craig, 28, also of Hooks, and Johnny W. Cason, 25, of Arkadelphia. These three have been charged with first degree murder in connection with the case.

Vines said McKinnon was out hunting on his stand at the time of the altercation, and doesn't know if the other three were hunting or not. However, a confrontation ensued, with the trio reportedly beating with their fists and feet.

McKinnon's body is being sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Vines said officials found no evidence of a shooting at the scene and no weapons were recovered there either. He did say alcohol may have been involved.

In addition, Vines said it is believed all three men were involved in the actual beating of McKinnon.

Investigation into the case continued with the NCSO and ASP chasing down leads. Along with Barfield, investigator Scott Clark and criminal investigator Jack Usury worked the case at the scene.