Suspect Arrested in St. Mary's Stabbing Death on Saturday Morning

Court records indicate that officer Philip Hoh filed charges against Edward B. Kralik, 67, of St. Marys, in Judge Donald Wilhelm’s courtroom for Criminal Homicide, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possessing an Instrument of Crime.

Police say 50 yr. old Clayton R. Lecker died as a result of stab wounds to the abdomen suffered early Saturday morning.

Lecker, a local businessman, operated a trailer park in which the suspect is believed to have lived on and off for some 20 years. Family and neighbors said Lecker was kind, helpful, a great landlord, and “a darned good guy”. Lecker’s sister-in-law, Lisa Knight, said this about the suspected murderer, “He basically was a recluse.  That’s what upsets us and shocks us, because my brother was one of his only friends.  Why he would do this to him, we can’t understand”.

Yvonne Crawford said of Lecker, “He’d help you out and do things for you and he’d very seldom charge you for anything.  He was a darned good guy.”

Family, friends and neighbors are still in disbelief that the friendly trailer park caretaker will no longer be around to help out mowing lawns and taking care of those he had for so long.

Court records did not say whether bail was set, or when a preliminary hearing would be held for Kralik.