Logan Hunts Horse, (Hall County Department of Corrections, Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND – A South Dakota man accused of shooting a man and then hitting him in the back of the head with a baseball bat has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and no contest to felony using a deadly weapon to commit a felony.
Logan C. Hunts Horse, 21, of Wounded Knee, S.D., reached the plea agreement May 1 in Hall County District Court before Judge Patrick Lee.
Hunts Horse was originally charged with first-degree murder, three counts of using a deadly weapon to commit a felony, and felony robbery.
Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 30.
Special prosecutor is Nebraska Assistant Attorney General Sandra Allen. She is a special Deputy Hall County Attorney. Defense attorney is Adam Sipple of Omaha. Hunts Horse’s bond is set at $5 million.
According to a Grand Island Police Department probable cause statement:
On March 9, 2023, Grand Island police officers responded to Fonner Park regarding a deceased male. When police arrived, they located Todd Scherer inside of his tack room within the R Barn. Scherer had a “single suspected bullet wound to his stomach as well as a large laceration to the back of his head.”
While investigators were processing the scene, a jockey said that Hunts Horse told him that he had shot Scherer earlier in the morning. Hunts Horse was located in his tack room within the same barn and was arrested.
Hunts Horse told police that after he shot Scherer once in the stomach with a handgun, he, Austin Kelly, 17, 2425 Park Drive, and another man left the building and went to the South Locust Walmart. They returned to the barn. Hunts Horse got a wood baseball bat from his room, went to Scherer’s room, and struck Scherer, “whom was still alive, with the bat in the back of the head.” Kelly then took Scherer’s wallet from his pants pocket, and the wallet contained cash.
Kelly was contacted during a traffic stop later that day and was arrested. Kelly admitted he was present at the barn with Hunts Horse and two other people when Scherer came to their room and “was asking about sexual favors with the males which made them uncomfortable.” Hunts Horse escorted Scherer back to his room, and Kelly followed behind.
Hunts Horse then went into a room with Scherer. Kelly “heard a loud gunshot.” Hunts Horse exited the room and stated they needed to leave. Kelly said he and Hunts Horse wanted to return to the barn after they left Walmart to take Scherer’s wallet, because they needed money for gas.
After that, Hunts Horse and Kelly left the barn with the wallet and the money, which was divided among three people. “During the search of Logan Hunts Horse, two 9 mm rounds were located within his jacket pockets. The firearm as well as the baseball bat were located at a location that was provided by Logan Hunts Horse.”
Austin Kelly is charged in Hall County District Court with felony robbery, two counts of being an accessory to a felony, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Kelly’s pretrial conference is set for 1:30 p.m May 7, and a jury trial is set for 9 a.m. June 10.
District Judge Andrew Butler is the presiding judge. Special prosecutor is Nebraska Assistant Attorney General Sandra Allen. Defense attorney is Jennifer Kearney of Grand Island. Kelly’s bond is set at $500,000.
