CONWAY, AR – According to prosecutor Cody Hiland, two teens–Justin Shane Staton, 14, and Hunter John Drexler, 17–are facing two counts of capital murder charges for the deaths of Patricia and Robert Cogdell. Police said Staton is the couple’s grandson.
In an affidavit, it said the murder and robbery was a plot formulated when the teens were in juvenile jail. According to the paperwork, Staton told Drexler and another 17-year-old at the jail he was having trouble with his grandparents and Drexler suggested Staton shoot and kill them. It goes on to say that Staton then came up with a plan to do just that and steal their money.
“I can tell you that our juvenile courts are full and that one day we will reap the bitter harvest when they grow up,” Hiland said.
In the documents it says two other teens, the 17-year-old from juvenile jail and another 17-year-old, were at the Cogdell’s home the day of the murder. They told investigators that Drexler shot both Robert and Patricia. They say Robert didn’t die immediately so they believe Staton shot him two more times. Then Drexler and Staton allegedly put the bodies near the tree line using a tractor on the property.
“The detectives that have worked this have lived it for the last few days,” Conway Police Chief A.J. Gary said. “It’s not something easy to do. It’s not easy for them to go to a crime scene like this and to see the things that they have to see.”
The affidavit says Staton went to his mother’s house where he was arrested by police. According to the affidavit, he then told police he was involved in the murder. The other teens left for Texas where they were later questioned. The documents say the two other teens admitted to being involved during police interviews.
Staton and Drexler are also facing two charges of aggravated robbery, theft of property, and abuse of a corpse.
As of now, the two other teens at the house on the day of the murder have not been charged.
Police are still investigating and more charges could come down.
