Jonesboro man pleads guilty to murder

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A Craighead County man who shot and killed another man will spend the next 40 years in prison.

Logan Murray pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in the 2021 death of Gavin Wagster.

After entering his plea, a judge sentenced Murray to 360 months years in prison on the murder charge and 10 years on the weapons enhancement charge. The sentences are to “run consecutively as a matter of law,” the judge said.

Investigators said Murray shot and killed Wagster on May 29, 2021, at a home on Turfway Drive.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Murray lying beside the victim “with blood all over him,” the affidavit stated.

Regina Wagster, Gavin’s mother, had fought for justice and prepared for Murray’s sentencing since that day.

While justice was served on Thursday, Wagster said no length of jail time was enough.

“I don’t think any mother will ever be satisfied,” she said. “Even with life, it doesn’t bring my son back to life.”

Hailey Bounds, one of Gavin’s friends, lived in the home at the time.

Bounds met Gavin in high school, and they clicked instantly.

The loss of such a close friend has changed her life.

“This is something we will never forget and the average person won’t ever go through,” Bounds said.

For Bounds and Wagster’s family, Gavin’s memory won’t fade anytime soon.

Regin is prepared to fight to keep killers in jail without bond, something Murray was allowed.

Gavin’s older brother, Jordan Wagster, is prepared to keep his killer in jail for as long as possible.

“I will always be there until I am old and gray, showing up to every parole hearing to make sure they never leave. I’ll show up with my walking cane if I have to,” Jordan said.

For this family, memories of their loved one just aren’t enough.

“Our child’s murderer is no longer free,” Wagster said.

They said justice and change will keep the memories of Gavin alive forever.

“We can now celebrate Gavin’s birthday and know that he got justice,” Bounds said.

When Region 8 News confronted Murray after his sentencing about why he killed Gavin, he did not offer any comments. He also showed no emotion in the courtroom and did not look at Wagster’s family.

Murray’s plea comes just weeks before his trial was expected to begin on Nov. 28. He had originally been charged with first-degree murder.

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