Park City man accused of killing one of his tenants

A Park City man has been charged with murder in the slaying of one of his tenants.

James Kip Ramsdell, 58, was charged in 3rd District Court. According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, a a woman walking her dog on Oct. 7 found the body of John Krieg, 50, in front of a home on 200 block of Countryside Circle.

Officers wrote in a probable cause statement that Krieg had suffered “numerous injuries” to his face and a single gunshot wound to his chest.

As they were investigating, “an intoxicated man” — later identified as Ramsdell — appeared at the scene and was asked to leave. He walked into the home where Krieg was found. When officers questioned him, Ramsdell had a gunshot wound to his left hand, records state.

According to the probable cause statement, Ramsdell first told police he knew nothing about the body in front of his home. He then said someone had shot him and added, “Maybe I killed him. I don’t know.”

Ramsdell was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries. Police spoke with him again after he tested negative for alcohol, and Ramsdell said he “could have shot Krieg,” the document states.

A witness, who shared a basement rental with Krieg in Ramsdell’s home, told police that he heard the two men fighting, then heard a gunshot at about 1 a.m. Ramsdell said he may have shot himself, but when the witness suggested calling the authorities, Ramsdell — who was still holding the gun — told him not to call police, the document states.

Ramsdell then made several comments about killing Krieg, including: “We need to kill him or something,” “We need to [expletive] kill him,” and “I’m going to [expletive] kill him,” the document states.

The witness, Ramsdell and Krieg next went outside, where Ramsdell and Krieg continued arguing, the witness told police. The witness returned to the house, and Ramsdell later returned alone.

Outside again, the witness found Krieg’s body, but told investigators he did not call police because he feared Ramsdell, who still had a gun, the document states.

Shortly before 7 a.m., the woman walking her dog found Krieg’s body and called police.

Ramsdell is being held without bail in the Summit County jail.