Jasper McMurtrey left the Pima County Courthouse 22...

Jasper McMurtrey left the Pima County Courthouse 22 years after being sentenced to death for a double murder at a notorious biker bar. McMurtrey, 52, was ordered freed on appeal by Pima County Superior Court Judge John Leonardo, who affirmed a federal ruling demanding his release. McMurtrey was convicted and sentenced to death in 1981 for the murders of Barry F. Collins and Albert Hughes Jr. at the defunct Ranch House bar, 4950 N. Casa Grande Highway. In March, a federal judge ordered a new trial for McMurtrey based on ineffectual counsel at his 1981 trial, according to McMurtrey's appellate attorneys, Gregory Kuykendall and Natman Schaye. The state appealed the order to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, but never sought a stay of the new trial order within the 180 days allotted. When the 180 days expired, McMurtrey's attorneys requested his release or retrial. On Dec. 10, a federal judge ordered McMurtrey's release until the 9th circuit appeal is resolved. Leonardo made the release official. McMurtrey was released in the custody of Pretrial Services, said Schaye, who has represented McMurtrey for 15 years. If the state wins its Ninth Circuit appeal, McMurtrey could return to death row, Schaye said. If the defense wins, McMurtrey may be retried.