Man charged with killing tenant in Highland Estates altercation pleads guilty to manslaughter

The Summit County Sheriff's Office working at a murder scene on Countryside Circle in Highland Estates on October 7, 2021. Photo: TownLift

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — James Kip Ramsdell, 60, has plead guilty to second-degree manslaughter, according to documents filed September 8.

Ramsdell was initially arrested in October 2021 for the shooting of 50-year-old John Krieg.

Krieg was renting the basement of Ramsdell’s home on Countryside Circle at the Highland Estates at the time of his death.

According to court documents, witnesses heard an altercation between Ramsdell and Krieg in the early morning hours of October 7, 2021. The witness, Ramsdell and Krieg then went outside, where the witness saw that Ramsdell was in possession of a gun.

The witness returned inside, and later Ramsdell returned to the residence alone. The witness went looking for Krieg and found him lying on the ground outside, killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest.

When Summit County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the residence later that morning, they found Ramsdell heavily intoxicated with a gunshot wound to his hand. Deputies waited until Ramsdell was sober to interview him where he then stated that he “could have shot Krieg.”

Manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Ramsdell’s sentencing will take place on October 20 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Richard Mrazik.