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First Degree Murder charges have been filed in the death of Jennifer Heckel in Hutchinson. According to Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder, those charges were filed against 48-year-old Billy Joe Craig, Jr. and 32-year-old Charles Christopher Logsdon.
Charges include First Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the First Degree and Conspiracy to commit Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Burglary and Felon in Possession of a firearm.
Authorities say Heckel appears to be the victim of mistaken identity.
Schroeder says the two men, along with a third person whose identity was not released by police, killed 27-year-old Jennifer Heckel, who was found shot to death in her home on June 14.
Craig and Logsdon were charged under alternate theories of Murder in the First Degree. They're accused under the Legal Doctrine of Transferred Intent of premeditating the killing of a person, but killed someone else.
Police say the three drove a car to Heckel's home and at least two of them went inside armed with a firearm.
Schroeder says the third person's identity is being kept secret for his protection.
The Reno County District Attorney’s Office also filed notices of aggravating circumstances and requests to impose life sentences without the possibility of parole for 50 years if either is convicted. The aggravating factors relied upon in the notice of intent to seek “Hard 50" sentences were; 1) The murder of Jennifer Heckel was committed in an especially heinous, atrocious or cruel manner; 2) Another person was authorized or employed to commit the crime; 3) The murder of Jennifer Heckel was committed for the contemplated purpose of receiving money or any other thing of monetary value.
The investigation still continues. Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2833, Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 620-694-2666, or the KBI Hotline at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Bonds for Craig and Logsdon have been set at $500,000. A first appearance on the charges has been scheduled for Monday, September 26 at 3:00 p.m. in Division III of the Reno County District Court.