Historical facts about the Denver District Attorneys office: October 1, 1946, Dr. James K. Mullen was shot to death in the Ships Tavern of the Brown Palace by Ronald F. Smith. Smith, an ex-marine and former Grand Junction policemen, went berserk and fired at least four shots around the bar. He hit two other patrons but only wounded them. Smith was subdued after the shooting by a blow to the head with a bottle. Denver District Attorney James T. Burke (1941-1948) charged Smith with first degree murder and assault to commit murder. The trial was handled by Deputy District Attorneys Robert Kingsley and Paul Rust. The defense was insanity but the jury found Smith guilty on all counts and he was sentenced to life in prison.
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 11:36:04 +0000