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

[Trudie]

He appears to be built just like his Dad. Perhaps football was one way to get him in better physical condition. PB- losing a child can manifest itself in deteriorating physical appearance.

True, or torturing a human might lead to stress, causing a change in physical appearance

 

[Trudie]

Boy, I wonder how anyone expected TT to have time for Alex, considering the health crisis TT was experiencing.
It appears JAH lacked stability & frequently got relocated.

 

[Yuletide]

True, or torturing a human might lead to stress, causing a change in physical appearance

I am certain that choice she made contributed as well.

 

[Yuletide]

Boy, I wonder how anyone expected TT to have time for Alex, considering the health crisis TT was experiencing.
It appears JAH lacked stability & frequently got relocated.

I agree 100%

 

[Trudie]

Nothing new in link but this is the article about Alex’s bedroom being turned into a video room. Omg yes, that is so much more important.......
I’m guessing the household ran on a “do what you want” theme. Bet GR played video games with uncle.

Hearing set to consider trying 14-year-old boy as adult in West Yellowstone homicide

 

[mickey2942]

Nothing new in link but this is the article about Alex’s bedroom being turned into a video room. Omg yes, that is so much more important.......
I’m guessing the household ran on a “do what you want” theme. Bet GR played video games with uncle.

Hearing set to consider trying 14-year-old boy as adult in West Yellowstone homicide

Yes, apparently it was the norm for JAH to sleep on the floor in the living room.

Could they have dehumanized him any further?

 

[Trudie]

Yes, apparently it was the norm for JAH to sleep on the floor in the living room.

Could they have dehumanized him any further?

No, I think not. I’d like to know what it was about Alex that bothered PB so. Why did she recruit or allow her child/ren to injure Alex? Hard to imagine why she even took him in, she wanted him “gone”, per uncle, so why did she not send him back to Texas? I wonder if Alex was on disability prior to TT’s death, then got an increase?

 

[Yuletide]

No, I think not. I’d like to know what it was about Alex that bothered PB so. Why did she recruit or allow her child/ren to injure Alex? Hard to imagine why she even took him in, she wanted him “gone”, per uncle, do why did she not send him back to Texas? I wonder if Alex was on disability prior to TT’s death, then got an increase?

Social Security survivor benefits? JMHO

 

[mickey2942]

Boy, I wonder how anyone expected TT to have time for Alex, considering the health crisis TT was experiencing.
It appears JAH lacked stability & frequently got relocated.

I am thinking that JAH was more like a caregiver. He could run and get things for his Father. It can be very difficult to do ADL with a wheelchair, especially if you are not used to it. JAH, even at his age, could do so much, "Run and get this, run and get that".

 

[Trudie]

Yes he would be entitle to survivor benefits, but I wonder if Alex was diagnosed as disable & also had his own benefit. A lot of children do receive SS benefits.

Social Security survivor benefits? JMHO

 

[Trudie]

I am thinking that JAH was more like a caregiver. He could run and get things for his Father. It can be very difficult to do ADL with a wheelchair, especially if you are not used to it. JAH, even at his age, could do so much, "Run and get this, run and get that".

Perhaps. What a horrible life Alex had.....
Did anyone want him?
I also wonder if PB & uncle felt Alex was not masculine enough, since he was slight in stature compared to uncle & GR.

 

[mickey2942]

Social Security survivor benefits? JMHO

Yes, and it could have been pretty significant amount of money. SSDI.

I used to be involved in helping children with disabilities get SSI, the problem was that if the child was eligible, the child often became the "paycheck" for many families. Which was bad in a lot of cases.

Because, if the child left the household, was removed, or even if the child wanted to go to residential school, the check stopped coming.

 

[Yuletide]

No, I think not. I’d like to know what it was about Alex that bothered PB so. Why did she recruit or allow her child/ren to injure Alex? Hard to imagine why she even took him in, she wanted him “gone”, per uncle, so why did she not send him back to Texas? I wonder if Alex was on disability prior to TT’s death, then got an increase?

One of my biggest issues with this case is how PB referred to the beatings as “fights”. 9 inch difference in height and 200 pound difference in weight. Even the savagery of cage fighting doesn’t allow for large weight difference. PB has lost all contact with reality. Those weren’t fights. They were savage beatings

 

[Trudie]

Yes, and it could have been pretty significant amount of money. SSDI.

I used to be involved in helping children with disabilities get SSI, the problem was that if the child was eligible, the child often became the "paycheck" for many families. Which was bad in a lot of cases.

Because, if the child left the household, was removed, or even if the child wanted to go to residential school, the check stopped coming.

Unless I hear otherwise, I’m convinced he was drawing a check. Never hurts to have a few extra dollars for spa treatments, snacks for obese kids, football gear, booze, etc.

 

[Trudie]

One of my biggest issues with this case is how PB referred to the beatings as “fights”. 9 inch difference in height and 200 pound difference in weight. Even the savagery of cage fighting doesn’t allow for large weight difference. PB has lost all contact with reality. Those weren’t fights. They were savage beatings

@Yuletide I have so many big issues with this, I can’t name them. Honestly, if I worked in the county jail, I would need to resign, I could not be around any of them. I would not trust myself & I’m pretty mellow. I hope all 4 are miserable 24/7. Hopefully they are hungry, dissatisfied with their meals, loathe their concrete beds, miss their phones, TV, video games & have ghastly nightmares.

 

[Crimescenetape]

He also lacks empathy. Any "normal" person would have notified authorities about this situation. Believe me, these people are not the "norm" of Montana folks. Sure, we let everyone mind their own business, but no one condones abuse.

I don't know if JAH was in Special Education, that would be a HIPPA issue if it was disclosed, so it probably wouldn't be.

However, INMO, CPS should document when a disabled child is abused, and INMO, if JAH was identified as "Disabled" eligible for Special Education Services, the charges should be enhanced to a "Hate Crime" or something, for abusing a child with a disability. That is beyond depraved.

From what I read and understood the Sassers were claiming JAH had mental health issues, hearing voices, but admitted they did not seek medical help and LE has not found evidence of they ever did. I haven't a clue if he had special education, an IEP or 504. I did read something father Tommy said about his school being better for Alex so that may be the situation. It would make sense that Alex was receiving SSI payments for a disability. I still think Alex remained with the Sassers because they were getting financially compensated. The Sassers also admitted they exaggerated Alex's symptoms. This crime has hate written all over it but prove it to twelve jurors. All the former are my opinions only.

 

[Crimescenetape]

“He was just a very sweet, loving boy, a little mixed up, but he had a good heart, and he loved his family,” Loren Davis, Alicia’s sister-in-law, said tearfully. “

What in the heck does she mean by “a little mixed up”?

That’s an odd way to describe a child. Mixed up about what? JMO

12-Year-Old Alex Hurley Endures Two Years of Torture Culminating in Murder by Grandparents and Teenage Uncle: Suffer the Little Children

I have a feeling Alex was stealing and may have had behavior issues the Sassers didn't have the patience for. I think Mom sent Alex to father out of frustration. This is most likely why she didn't try very hard to connect with him at his grandparents. I think the grandparents resented the trouble he was causing for them. I know the grandmother mentioned her father-in-law's wallet going missing and possibly a shoplifting incident? I do agree "a little mixed up" can mean just about anything from trying on lipstick and high heels to dyslexia. Please, no one take offense to my wording.

 

[Trudie]

From what I read and understood the Sassers were claiming JAH had mental health issues, hearing voices, but admitted they did not seek medical help and LE has not found evidence of they ever did. I haven't a clue if he had special education, an IEP or 504. I did read something father Tommy said about his school being better for Alex so that may be the situation. It would make sense that Alex was receiving SSI payments for a disability. I still think Alex remained with the Sassers because they were getting financially compensated. The Sassers also admitted they exaggerated Alex's symptoms. This crime has hate written all over it but prove it to twelve jurors. All the former are my opinions only.

He sure had an IEP at home. Really I’m surprised the 6yo is alive. Imagine if he pissed off big bro’? Just something as slight as interrupting a video game or touching something would probably irritate #3. I believe #3 is a miserable child.

 

[Crimescenetape]

He sure had an IEP at home. Really I’m surprised the 6yo is alive. Imagine if he pissed off big bro’? Just something as slight as interrupting a video game or touching something would probably irritate #3. I believe #3 is a miserable child.

Alex was sleeping on the floor in the living room because the bedroom Alex was using was converted to a gaming room. Poor kid. That kept the six year old away from big brother who probably got violent playing games. Priorities.

 

[mickey2942]

I could probably write something up, to advocate for DP or LWOP, due to enhanced sentencing for a hate crime to a person with a disability. Is that even part of the "hate crime" statute? I think that it is.

But, these folks will probably be well taken care of by the Gallatin County DA. I have no doubt about this.

The fact that the police officers and detectives who were in charge of the crime scene said that they had not seen anything like this in 30 years of LEO...is significant. Kudos to them.

TG that Batts was just not smart enough to coverup this crime, because I can easily see how they could have made JAH "disappear". And no one would have really done much.