News

Mundt makes an appearance in court

By Scott Wagar

03/26/2013

The man accused of shooting and killing Jessie Kirk of Westhope was back in District Court on Tuesday morning where he requested a preliminary hearing and to have his bond reduced.

Tim Mundt, 49, of Westhope, who was arrested in early February for the murder of Kirk, went before Northeast District Judge Michael Sturdevant with his court appointed attorney, Bill Hartl, and requested a preliminary hearing. Sturdevant set the date of preliminary hearing for Monday, April 29, at 1 p.m.

Hartl then asked for Mundt’s bond to be reduced from $500,000 to a lesser fee. Hartl stated that Mundt was not at risk of fleeing the area and pointed out that he is employed by Bob Artz as a farmhand, he has a brother who lives in Westhope and that he owns his home in Westhope along with three acres of land in the area.

Sturdevant stated that he would reduce the bond of $500,000 to $250,000 with surety because any bondsmen who granted him the money would keep a close eye on him considering the large sum of money being paid out.