Prosecutors: ‘Incriminating searches’ found on Jungerman computer

Jackson County prosecutors have revealed more evidence in their case against a Raytown man accused of fatally shooting a Kansas City attorney, including allegations of “incriminating” searches of firearms and how to kill using them.

In a June 10 filing arguing that David Jungerman’s bond should not be reduced, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Nelson said a forensics examination by the Heart of America Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory “revealed that numerous incriminating searches were conducted on the Defendant’s computer, and articles and YouTube videos were accessed, all mere days before the murder.”

Jungerman, 81, is awaiting trial in September for the murder of Thomas Pickert, a Kansas City attorney who was killed in October 2017 in front of his home. Pickert was killed months after his client won a $5.75 million jury verdict against Jungerman.

Prosecutors charged Jungerman in April 2018 with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for Pickert’s death. He has been held without bond in the Jackson County jail since March 2018.

His attorneys are seeking a bond reduction, which prompted the prosecutor’s filing. A hearing on the matter is set for July 18 before Judge John Torrence.

Nelson said the forensics examiner reviewing Jungerman’s computer found evidence of research weighing the use of a .22-caliber or .17-caliber rifle in the murder, and that he accessed articles including “Can a 22LR caliber bullet penetrate a human skull?”

Nelson noted that searches about .22-caliber rifles stopped towards the end of the time period that forensics examiners reviewed, and someone accessed commercial listings for .17-caliber rifles and then mapped several Wal-Mart stores.

“Testimony at trial will be that the murder weapon was a .17 caliber rifle,” Nelson wrote. “When the Defendant was arrested four months after the murder, a live .17 caliber round was found underneath the seat of his Toyota Sequoia, further connecting him to that caliber of firearm.”

Nelson also said the forensics examiner found evidence of queries including “where is the best and worst place to get shot by a gun and least likely to die?” and a Google search for “where is the heart located.”

The forensics examiner also reported evidence that someone using the computer accessed simulations and photos of bullets hitting human skulls, Nelson said.

Nelson said Jungerman “poses a severe threat to the community” and his bond should not be reduced.

Kansas City attorney Daniel Ross is representing Jungerman in the case. He said his client is entitled to the presumption of innocence. He also pointed to his arguments in his motion for a reduced bond.

“I think under the rules, everyone is presumed to be entitled to a signature bond,” he said.

The case is State v. Jungerman, 1816-CR01619.