The drug case against murder suspect Billy Craig Jr., remains pending and will be for at least a year. That’s because of the defenses desire to have this case pending till after the murder case is decided. Defense Attorney Greg Bell told Judge Trish Rose that he believes it would be in his clients best interest for the drug trial to follow the conclusion of the murder case.
Craig is accused of being involved with the murder of Jennifer Heckel and after Judge Tim Chambers issued a ruling not allowing what the state says amounts to a taped confession of being involved in the murder, the state has filed an appeal over that ruling. That means the murder case is on hold pending a ruling. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton also noted that if either side ask for review by the Kansas Supreme Court, it could take even longer.
Judge Trish Rose who is overseeing the drug case decided that since both parties have no issues with the case being pushed back, she set a status hearing for September 19, 2014.
He faces charges of possession methamphetamine with intent to sell within a thousand feet of Hutchinson High School, attempted sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, and unlawful possession of a fake drivers license which is now a charge of identity theft. This case occurring between June 1 and July 2, 2011.
As for the murder trial, that is also in limbo at this point. He also has a computer crime case, and he also facing a charge of contempt of court when he refused to testify in the trial of co-defendant Charles Christopher Logsdon. He was convicted in the murder case and is serving a 73-year sentence.