Logan Rentz, facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with a January 2026 death in Walnut Ridge, has been transferred to the Randolph County Sheriff's Detention Center ahead of his scheduled jury trial. Officials confirmed that the transfer occurred on Friday, July 31, 2026, moving Rentz from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Detention Center where he had been held.
Court documents reveal that Rentz’s trial, originally set for June 2026, was rescheduled to August 3, 2026, following the approval of a defense motion to continue. Additionally, legal records show several motions and formal notices filed by Rentz’s attorneys on July 26, as they prepared for the upcoming proceedings.
The charges stem from an incident on January 16, 2026, outside Main Street Pizza in Walnut Ridge. According to the Walnut Ridge Police Department (WRPD), officers responded to a call at 10:47 p.m. regarding an unresponsive man in a parking lot after a reported altercation. Emergency responders, including the WRPD, Walnut Ridge Fire Department, and Medic 1, arrived at the scene. Sergeant Aaron Moore, with help from a bystander, performed CPR before the victim was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Despite those efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Rentz was initially taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault by WRPD. However, online booking records later indicated the charges were upgraded to second-degree murder following further investigation.
Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the case or the events leading up to the incident. The WRPD emphasized in a January statement that the investigation remains active and ongoing. They have urged anyone with information about the events at Main Street Pizza that evening, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to contact Sergeant Aaron Moore via email at amoore@cityofwalnutridge.org.
Rentz's trial will take place in Randolph County Circuit Court, where both prosecutors and defense counsel are expected to present their cases. Further updates will depend on court proceedings and official announcements.