Bio

Jasper Newton McMurtrey was born on October 29, 1951, in the United States. As an adult, McMurtrey was associated with motorcycle culture and frequented biker establishments in Tucson, Arizona. He was known to spend time at the Ranch House Bar, a location commonly visited by members of the local biker community.

Murder Story

On August 10, 1979, Jasper Newton McMurtrey was involved in a confrontation at the Ranch House Bar in Tucson, Arizona. The location was known as a gathering place for motorcycle enthusiasts, and an argument developed between McMurtrey and several other patrons.

The confrontation escalated, and McMurtrey left the bar before returning armed with a revolver. He then fired multiple shots, killing Barry Collins and Albert Hughes. A third individual was wounded during the incident but survived.

McMurtrey later claimed that he acted in self-defense, stating that he believed he was in danger during the altercation. However, prosecutors argued that his actions were deliberate and unjustified.

He was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with two counts of murder and additional charges related to the shooting of the surviving victim.

McMurtrey was tried in 1981. On July 13, 1981, a jury found him guilty, and on August 28, 1981, he was sentenced to death. His death sentence was later reaffirmed during resentencing hearings in 1983 and 1985.

Over the following decades, McMurtrey pursued appeals challenging his conviction and sentence. In March 2003, a federal court determined that his original trial had been compromised by issues including inadequate legal representation and concerns regarding his mental competence at the time of trial.

On December 23, 2003, his death sentence was vacated. Subsequent legal proceedings were complicated by the passage of time, including the unavailability of witnesses and difficulties in reassessing his mental state decades after the incident.

On June 30, 2009, McMurtrey entered into a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and manslaughter. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with credit for time already served, resulting in his release.