MT - James Hurley, 12, tortured to death, W. Yellowstone, Feb 2020 grandparents & uncle arrested #1

[Medstudies]

Prosecutors undecided on death penalty in 12-year-old's death


“Bjorn Boyer, prosecutor in the case, said the county attorney’s office is still trying to figure out if the death penalty would be appropriate in this case. The investigation is still ongoing, he said, and Boyer hasn’t had a chance to sit down with the victim’s family.

“Those are all things that we’re still looking at,” Boyer said.

Under Montana law, deliberate homicide by means of torture is one of the aggravating circumstances that would allow the county attorney’s office to seek the death penalty.”

 

[shotgun09]

Grandma's bond was set higher than " Grandpa's". I haven't read anything stating that Sasser was physically involved in the torture, just that he was aware by texts from James III. Charged for being complicit? Was his voice ever heard in the background of all the videos, suggesting his presence ?

 

[NuttMegg]

Grandma's bond was set higher than " Grandpa's". I haven't read anything stating that Sasser was physically involved in the torture, just that he was aware by texts from James III. Charged for being complicit? Was his voice ever heard in the background of all the videos, suggesting his presence ?

"Another video taken by Hurley’s uncle shows Hurley wearing a t-shirt outside in January while the rest of the family has coats on, police said. The 14-year-old sent the video to Sasser Jr., and included a message that read, “he ain’t limping see I told you.”" (BBM)

Prosecutors undecided on death penalty in 12-year-old's death

That's the only one I've seen so far that mentions the "rest of the" family being there. But if the 14 year old texted the GrandF maybe GF wasn't there. Sounds like there was a horrendous fight on Jan 27, and that possibly the boy never really recovered, given the 14 year old's searches re concussion, etc.

 

[Niner]

Finally got an article that have their ages in it.

https://nypost.com/2020/02/16/monta...arents-and-14-year-old-uncle-prosecutors-say/

By Bradford Betz, Fox News

February 16, 2020

A 12-year-old Montana boy found dead earlier this month allegedly had been beaten by his grandparents and 14-year-old uncle, prosecutors said.

James Sasser Jr., 47, and Patricia Batts, 48, appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court on Thursday in the Feb. 3 death of James Alex Hurley.
[.....]
After his death, investigators said they found evidence, including videos, that indicated Hurley’s grandparents and his 14-year-old uncle regularly abused him, including beating him with a wooden paddle and locking up food.
[.....]
The 14-year-old was charged with deliberate homicide in youth court Wednesday and his bail was set at $500,000, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported.

 

[NuttMegg]

"Videos reviewed by detectives also showed the suspects spraying James in the face with an unknown substance that burned him and choking him, the complaint said."
A 12-year-old Montana boy was found dead in a living room; police say grandparents and uncle 'tortured' him - CNN

 

[NuttMegg]

"The family told detectives that Hurley heard voices in his head that told him to kill people, but Boyer has said they later admitted exaggerating Hurley’s mental health issues."
Prosecutors undecided on death penalty in 12-year-old's death

 

[Luckyzmom]

This " family" had no concern for this dying child. They do not belong in a free society and are hardly redeemable. I would like to say that not much surprises me anymore. But lately I find myself being physically ill, nauseated by human depravity. JMHO. James sleeps safe with the angels far far out of reach from caretakers Cannot imagine what Mom is going through.

 

[mickey2942]

Prosecutors undecided on death penalty in 12-year-old's death


“Bjorn Boyer, prosecutor in the case, said the county attorney’s office is still trying to figure out if the death penalty would be appropriate in this case. The investigation is still ongoing, he said, and Boyer hasn’t had a chance to sit down with the victim’s family.

“Those are all things that we’re still looking at,” Boyer said.

Under Montana law, deliberate homicide by means of torture is one of the aggravating circumstances that would allow the county attorney’s office to seek the death penalty.”

Gallatin county is quite liberal, but child abuse, would probably be a slam dunk for the DP. Deer Lodge is where the state prison is in Montana, not sure how many are on death row.

The 14 year old, he probably won't be charged as an adult, too bad. He is a bad seed.

 

[MimosaMornings]

How long has it been since the mom or dad had actually seen their son in person?

 

[PinkPrincessPoop]

How long has it been since the mom or dad had actually seen their son in person?

I haven't seen anything say explicitly if the mother has seen James since she sent him to live with his dad. In 2018, when James' father died, it says his mother tried to call but "Batts [the grandmother?] blocked her from reaching him." Why she didn't try harder, we don't know. We don't have the full backstory here. This news story says the mother is coming to Montana to talk to detectives:
Grandparents, uncle charged in beating death of 12-year-old

 

[MimosaMornings]

If the grand parents hated him so much why didn’t they send him back to his mother?
I don’t understand what was wrong with the grandparents and the uncle....

 

[borndem]

Just saw this - please forgive if it's a repeat.
Looks like there's a fourth suspect in this horror; he is 18 years old.
WTH is all this?

Montana Boy, 12, Is Found Dead in Home, and Police Say Grandparents and Uncle 'Tortured' Him
James' family was allegedly caught on video abusing him before his death
By Harriet Sokmensuer
February 17, 2020 01:31 PM
A Montana boy is dead and his grandparents and teen uncle face charges after they were allegedly caught on camera torturing him.
[...]
All three have been charged with deliberate homicide after James was found dead on Feb. 3 of blunt force trauma to the back of his head.
[...]
On Feb. 3, deputies responded to the family’s West Yellowstone home after the family reported the boy’s death. Upon arrival, deputies found James to have multiple wounds and contusions all over his body, prompting them to contact homicide detectives.
At the time of James’s death, he “appeared to be emaciated” while video footage from two years prior showed him as a “healthy and well fed boy,” the court documents state.
James weighed 103 lbs and stood 5 feet 3 inches tall, investigators noted in the documents.
[...]
On Feb. 3, deputies responded to the family’s West Yellowstone home after the family reported the boy’s death. Upon arrival, deputies found James to have multiple wounds and contusions all over his body, prompting them to contact homicide detectives.
[...]
Since the trio’s arrest, authorities have arrested a second teen, Gage Roush, 18, on allegations he assaulted James. A toxicology report is pending for James’ autopsy.

More info here:
Montana Boy, 12, Is Found Dead in Home, and Police Say Grandparents and Uncle 'Tortured' Him

 

[lonetraveler]

"Home Schooling". Once again.
Investigators: videos show boy being tortured by members of his family before his death

How many times have we seen "home Schooling" involved with abused and dead children? Something needs to change. There should be more oversight and monitoring of children who are homeschooled.

Why did these people take videos of abusing a child? Great evidence. But it is beyond depraved.

I immediately thought "homeschooling again" too. Obviously there are many crimes against children being hidden under "homeschooling". This case is so disgusting and sad. This entire family and the other man should be put away for life and some of them executed as well. So sick of this ..............

 

[lonetraveler]

Looks Roush was in court also.

West Yellowstone reels after death of 12-year-old boy, candlelight memorial planned

....18-year-old Gage Roush stood quietly in Gallatin County Justice Court on Friday, Feb. 14, charged with assaulting a minor.
[.....]
Roush could be looking at 40 years in prison if convicted and his bail has been set to $50,000.

It always amazes me when the sadistic monsters are described as "gentle giants" and everyone is so surprised that the torture of a child was going on. Are the teachers at the school he was taken out of, blind? I'm at this time totally refusing to believe that someone did not notice that this child was being tortured. Totally refuse...

 

[mickey2942]

Grandparents, teen uncle tortured, killed 12-year-old, court docs say

Interesting, they are going to charge the 14 year old as an adult.

Also, they state that Batts, is more culpable, there goes the "victim" theory that I had.

So, James Hurley was suicidal? Threatened them? Why didn't they send him back to his Mother? Ah, because he was a check, he was probably receiving his dead father's Social Security death benefits.

 

[Trudie]

“Systematic torture” - Sheriff, friends weigh in on West Yellowstone boy’s death

"Batts' friend says there was a breaking point.

“I knew something was wrong and I encouraged her repeatedly to get him some help and have him put somewhere and she just really expressed that she just did not like him,” says the woman.

Investigators found places in the home where large amounts of blood were cleaned with vinegar.

Then, they found videos.

“She (Batts) is on a lot of the videos that show the torture to this young boy,” Boyer says. “She’s in the videos seen strangling the boy.”

This sickens me & reminds me of little AJ Freund, his mom loved to video archive his torture.
WTH is going on in our world......

 

[Trudie]

Prosecutors undecided on death penalty in 12-year-old's death


“Bjorn Boyer, prosecutor in the case, said the county attorney’s office is still trying to figure out if the death penalty would be appropriate in this case. The investigation is still ongoing, he said, and Boyer hasn’t had a chance to sit down with the victim’s family.

“Those are all things that we’re still looking at,” Boyer said.

Under Montana law, deliberate homicide by means of torture is one of the aggravating circumstances that would allow the county attorney’s office to seek the death penalty.”

fingers crossed

 

[SaguaroSpirit]

Grandparents, teen uncle tortured, killed 12-year-old, court docs say

Interesting, they are going to charge the 14 year old as an adult.

Also, they state that Batts, is more culpable, there goes the "victim" theory that I had.

So, James Hurley was suicidal? Threatened them? Why didn't they send him back to his Mother? Ah, because he was a check, he was probably receiving his dead father's Social Security death benefits.

And if he had problems, perhaps even SS disability money which can be relatively substantial. JMOO

 

[borndem]

It says he was taken out of school in September. I wonder if teachers and/or other kids started asking around about his various wounds.

Most likely -- I have seen cases here and elsewhere, and that is what happened. A situation where the teachers were already suspicious, DPS comes to the home, and then the child is taken out of school in favor of home schooling. Then worse things begin to happen. I think that's likely what we've got in young James's case.
That's what happened to sweet little Zahra - by her step-"mother" Elisa Baker -- here's a related WS thread on this topic.

Was Zahra Really Homeschooled? If so, WHY?!

 

[cocomod]

Has anyone found the obituary for his dad, Tommy Tate? It looks like he lost his legs over the last year or so of his life. I wondered what his cause of death was? The picture shows that Tommy loved James, and I wonder if mom let James come to live with him because they knew he was dying. Then, once he passed, G-Ma wouldn't let mom have him back. Did G-Ma (and I say that word lightly) have anger issues because of his death and she took it out on the little boy that could have been his legacy??? I feel so much sadness and hurt for what little James endured. How much confusion he must have felt when they tortured him day after day. Even IF he had ADHD or ODD, he probably needed counseling for losing his father. Such evil exists - and it is beyond me to comprehend it!