Peter Mungall (Scotty) — Grant County Ranch Owner Acquitted in Kerr Killing
On April 24, 1891, a murder occurred there in which prospector Jimmie Kerr was killed; Mungall and Barney Kerr were charged with the murder [3]. Mungall testified that he, Campbell, and the two Kerrs had been drinking whiskey at his house all afternoon [1]. Witness Charles Campbell stated the group drank from multiple bottles and a demi-john before moving to Mungall's house between 3 and 4 p.m. [4]. Mungall recalled starting out at dusk to find Campbell, taking a bottle, and remembering nothing until Campbell awakened him; they then lifted Jimmy into bed [1]. An officer noted Mungall was too drunk to show his hands and had no blood on his clothes or person [2][5]. Mungall and Barney Kerr were brought to town and lodged in jail, with a preliminary trial held before Judge Givens [6][8]. After hearing arguments, the court discharged Mungall from custody and held Barney Kerr to await the grand jury without bail [7][5].
Sources
- Peter Mungall sworn… (1891)Peter Mungall sworn. We had been drink- ing whiskey all the afternoon at my house. I took whiskey up a couple of times. Some one suggested that we get more whiskey. Reached the house about 3 o’clock. I had whi…
- I asked Mungall to show his hands; he… (1891)I asked Mungall to show his hands; he was too drunk; he showed no blood either on his clothes or his person.
- On the 24th of April a horrible murder was… (1891)On the 24th of April a horrible murder was committed in the Mangus valley, in which Jimmie Kerr, a well-known prospector, was the victim, and his brother Barney Kerr, and one Peter Mungall, known as “Scotty,” w…
- Charles Campbell testified as follows: ‘T… (1891)ty arrived before breakfast; he had liquor — about a half pint I should think. There were four of us — Mungall, myself, Barney and Jimmy. We all drank. We then went to work. The second bottle was produced about …
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-05-01 (1891)been issued not to admit me. The shirt that Barney wore near the fire was bespattered with blood. Had no conversation with Mungall prior to the testimony before the coroner. He showed no blood upon his cl…
- Barney Kerr and Peter Mungall, the par-… (1891)Barney Kerr and Peter Mungall, the par- ties accused, were brought into town by the officers and lodged in jail. Their preliminary trial was held before Judge Givens on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- After hearing the arguments of counsel,… (1891)After hearing the arguments of counsel, the court discharged Peter Mungall from cus- tody, and held Barney Kerr to await the action of the grand jury without bail.
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-05-01 (1891)g the murderous wound in- flicted. Barney Kerr and Peter Mungall, the par- ties accused, were brought into town by the officers and lodged in jail. Their preliminary trial was held before Judge Givens on Tu…