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

[Trudie]

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.

Maybe each perp’ made video to prove Alex was alive after their specific punishment, but I’m surprised they didn’t get rid of his body & report him as a runaway.

 

[mickey2942]

I think that Batts has a fairly significant substance abuse problem, probably alcohol. She was probably just hung over, saw that he was dead and automatically called the police to haul away the body.

In her sick, twisted reality, she probably believed that JAH was just a piece of trash, and no one would care anyway.

 

[Trudie]

I think that Batts has a fairly significant substance abuse problem, probably alcohol. She was probably just hung over, saw that he was dead and automatically called the police to haul away the body.

In her sick, twisted reality, she probably believed that JAH was just a piece of trash, and no one would care anyway.

@mickey2942 I thought the same thing! She wasn’t thinking clearly& called 911. Had she had more coffee, a few aspirins & a bit more sleep, things mighta been handled in a completely dif’ manner. Probably too lazy & hung over to move Alex. Everything seems so matter of fact with them. Not deleting phone evidence is beyond belief.

 

[Yuletide]

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.

After what he went through, I’m certain he did hear voices. Bless his heart. He was alone.

 

[Trudie]

After what he went through, I’m certain he did hear voices. Bless his heart. He was alone.

If he had a preexisting condition, they exasperated it. Lack of nutrients, inadequate sleep & repeated blunt force trauma. Almost like he lived in a modern day concentration camp. I hope they all plead guilty and don’t offer up anymore lame excuses.
Also, @mickey2942 since #3 is a minor his parents would normally work with his attorney each step of the way & help make decisions. Obviously neither parent can assist in #3s defense as they are codefendant’s. So, is #3 provided with a guardian, or what? I really doubt PB cares, I’m sure she’s only concerned with her charges.

 

[mickey2942]

After what he went through, I’m certain he did hear voices. Bless his heart. He was alone.

Who wouldn't "act crazy" in an environment like that? He couldn't even go to school for some normalcy.

 

[mickey2942]

@Trudie 300/14 will probably be assigned a guardian ad litem, from the court.

I am "glad" that there is enough evidence to also convict Batts and Sasser, because I am positive that they would have flipped everything onto 300/14. With the video evidence, they can't do that.

Doh! These criminals are like the "Homer Simpson" of crime. They kill a kid, call the cops, and don't even delete evidence from their phones! Doh! Whatever.

 

[Trudie]

Oh yeah, I think they would have flipped Alex’s death to a juvie, if possible. Kill two birds with one stone. Get rid of Alex & get #3 the help he seriously needs. Imo, #3 was probably close to turning his anger towards his mom. I doubt either PB or JS would have cared if he got detention for 4 years. They have to realize he’s not a normal 14yo. Hopefully no juror will feel sorry for little #3! Later this week we will learn if he’s going to be tried as an adult. Fingers crossed!
So, if #3 gets a guardian ad liter, that person is responsible for walking him thru the court process?

@Trudie 300/14 will probably be assigned a guardian ad litem, from the court.

I am "glad" that there is enough evidence to also convict Batts and Sasser, because I am positive that they would have flipped everything onto 300/14. With the video evidence, they can't do that.

Doh! These criminals are like the "Homer Simpson" of crime. They kill a kid, call the cops, and don't even delete evidence from their phones! Doh! Whatever.

 

[Trudie]

These criminals are like the "Homer Simpson" of crime.

The Three Stooges would be more capable, imo.

 

[Yuletide]

Maybe each perp’ made video to prove Alex was alive after their specific punishment, but I’m surprised they didn’t get rid of his body & report him as a runaway.

Perhaps, in some twisted way, they were hoping for financial gain from JAH's death as well?

 

[Yuletide]

Most, if not all, of the video clips described appear to be from 3's phone. I'm not aware of any videos with 3 in them. Therefore, it is possible that PB wasn't aware of the videos when she called police. Her testimony and 3's testimony place 3 as the primary deviant in the beating of JAH. It's also possible that 3 thought he deleted the videos but they were stored through I-cloud. It's also possible that he's just a little sicko and kept the videos for future viewing. It's my humble opinion that PB did not know the videos were saved when she called police.

 

[Trudie]

Perhaps, in some twisted way, they were hoping for financial gain from JAH's death as well?

Well, I don’t think they had life insurance, since we’ve heard nothing, but I considered PB thought Alex’s dad might have a lawsuit, maybe related to his accident OR a medical suit? And, after appx two years were told “No, no suit here.” If they thought there might be a chance for a suit, I think they would have loved to be guardian of said beneficiary. Moo

 

[Trudie]

Ohhhhh, really? I thought #3 was on tape. GR is. I thought gramps was the only one of the 4 not on tape. Boy, what a “man of the house”, he is, huh? Maybe #3 made his videos because he had been threatened with arrest by his mom, so he recorded her abusing Alex as well?
@mickey2942 will #3s guardian confer with PB & JS, as they are legal guardians? Example: “okay your son’s atty recommends......”. Or will it be confidential? Also, will parental rights be revoked since they can’t actually parent an incarcerated child while incarcerated? Tysm

Most, if not all, of the video clips described appear to be from 3's phone. I'm not aware of any videos with 3 in them. Therefore, it is possible that PB wasn't aware of the videos when she called police. Her testimony and 3's testimony place 3 as the primary deviant in the beating of JAH. It's also possible that 3 thought he deleted the videos but they were stored through I-cloud. It's also possible that he's just a little sicko and kept the videos for future viewing. It's my humble opinion that PB did not know the videos were saved when she called police.

 

[mickey2942]

I am not really sure, INMO, if I was working this, it would be to distance 300/14 from the family. And make him out to be a "victim" of PB and JS. That he was never taught any better, that would be easy to prove.

I still think that the family is going to try to make the "kill" on GR. But he got low bail, probably going to flip on the family.

I was thinking about this case earlier, what a dysfunctional pair JS and PB are. Why didn't JS have a pair and leave PB? Turn her in, and he would have been off the hook. It would have even saved 300/14. JAH would have been taken away, probably back to his Mother. PB might have had some jail time. 300/14, sent for counseling. JS would be back at the bar, free, with his 6 yo.

Oh, I guess that it was much easier to roll over on the sofa and go to sleep.

 

[Dave F.]

The 14 year old, brings up a lot of questions, regarding sentencing for a "child".

Can he be successfully rehabilitated? How much time in jail should he receive?

There is a lot of rewiring that would have to happen in this kid, he has absolutely zero empathy or regard for the pain and suffering of another person. He actually scares me. That he is that deviant at his age. Empathy is not necessarily something that can be learned or taught, to someone who is already as antisocial as this uncle.

Does he merit life in prison without parole? I don't see prison as the world's greatest place for rehabilitation for this kid.

The State of Montana has NO obligation to rehabilitate anyone. It is generally good for the state to provide rehabilitation assistance, but assistance is not mandatory. Some people belong in prison, and the person who decides is the sentencing judge. IMO

 

[Trudie]

The State of Montana has NO obligation to rehabilitate anyone. It is generally good for the state to provide rehabilitation assistance, but assistance is not mandatory. Some people belong in prison, and the person who decides is the sentencing judge. IMO

I don’t think #3 is a candidate for rehab. I hope not. I’m tough, lol. I want MT to use him as an example. He had the power to stop the abuse, he could have told an adult. He enjoyed it, imo.

 

[Trudie]

Why didn't JS have a pair and leave PB? Turn her in, and he would have been off the hook.

I’d like to know what his children from previous relationship think about him......

 

[MimosaMornings]

Two years is a long time to leave him there after his father died. Plus he had been living with his father not this sadistic bunch, right? Who the heck said it would help with the “grieving process”? Tommy’s mother?
Why not go get him and bring him home to live with mom and his brother?
(Don’t know when she married JR)

 

[Trudie]

Two years is a long time to leave him there after his father died. Plus he had been living with his father not this sadistic bunch, right? Who the heck said it would help with the “grieving process”? Tommy’s mother?
Why not go get him and bring him home to live with mom and his brother?
(Don’t know when she married JR)

I’m sure there’s much more going on we will never be privy to. Evidently he lived with his dad only a few months before his father passed. Like you, idk why he was not put on a plane & sent home. He didn’t even know the Sasser family. Moo

 

[Trudie]

One thing I think is Alex was nothing, absolutely nothing to JS. He is not Alex’s grandfather, he’s the significant other or husband to Alex’s grandma. Not all step relatives “care”. Perhaps JS “ignored” or had been told to mind his own biz. Remember, the daughter stated her dad contemplated leaving with the 6yo. Of course that would not have helped Alex. Another peculiar thing is JS rec’d texts from #3 that should have been addressed, like “I’m gonna kill him.” Why did JS tolerate #3 (his son) making threats. I wonder if everyone feared #3. Did he wear the pants in the family?
From previous links, bbm: Gage Roush, 18, was arrested and charged with felony assault of a minor and appeared in court in the Feb. 3 death of James Alex Hurley, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported.
After Hurley's death, investigators found video evidence indicating Roush, the boy's grandparents and 14-year-old uncle regularly abused him, authorities said. The autopsy found he had bruising all over his body and died from trauma to the head, prosecutors said.

Roush told detectives that he was the person in the video hitting Hurley, according to charging documents.

Roush could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
Fourth person charged in fatal beating of 12-year-old boy