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

[mickey2942]

Well she won’t gain popularity defending him, but he’s entitled to a vigorous defense. Ultimately, a jury will determine his fate.
As far as the 18 yo female, since she evidently googled medical terms, she knew her nephew was in need of help. As an adult, she should be held responsible for not phoning 911, imo. I dislike MS facing no charges. One day she will likely be a mom. Then what? I also think once she’s out of school & employed, if she petitions the court, she will get custody of her brother. I’m sure PB will encourage her to do so. Not that I believe MS wants that burden.

Seriously, with a Mother like PB, Madison is the last person I would let take care of any child.

 

[Trudie]

Seriously, with a Mother like PB, Madison is the last person I would let take care of any child.

I imagine she’s living with a friend.....omg, what must the friend & her family think. I bet MS is telling alol.

 

[Yuletide]

Of course his attorney had him plead not guilty. Let the prosecutor prove who actually delivered the killing blow. There is no video of that. Group and or gang crimes are the worst. Difficult to prove who caused the death, although all contributed.

 

[Trudie]

Batts, Sasser Jr., Madison Sasser and Sasser III all reportedly told detectives there were multiple instances of physical violence by the uncle against the victim. Sasser III also stated he made a paddle out of wood with a blue-taped handle and would hit the boy multiple times with it, mostly on the buttocks, but sometimes other places. A photo of the paddle was located on the grandmother’s phone during a later search.

The bolded comment is from the previously posted probable cause.
Iirc Gage R. Was filmed beating Alex in early January.
Please read the Gallatin Sheriff FB, a lot of locals commented. Very interesting comment.

 

[Yuletide]

Well she won’t gain popularity defending him, but he’s entitled to a vigorous defense. Ultimately, a jury will determine his fate.
As far as the 18 yo female, since she evidently googled medical terms, she knew her nephew was in need of help. As an adult, she should be held responsible for not phoning 911, imo. I dislike MS facing no charges. One day she will likely be a mom. Then what? I also think once she’s out of school & employed, if she petitions the court, she will get custody of her brother. I’m sure PB will encourage her to do so. Not that I believe MS wants that burden.

It is her job to defend him. It’s not about being popular. She has no choice. Every accused deserves a vigorous defense. That’s what makes America what we are. I highly doubt any court will allow her custody of the 6 year old after her apathy with JAH. She demonstrated no sense of responsibility

 

[Trudie]

I think PB possibly abused #3 and he suddenly was too big for her to mess with so she turned her aggression to Alex & allowed #3 to join in. I think PB is most likely afraid of #3.
All moo

 

[mickey2942]

I think PB possibly abused #3 and he suddenly was too big for her to mess with so she turned her aggression to Alex & allowed #3 to join in. I think PB is most likely afraid of #3.
All moo

I don't know, who can figure this out. It makes zero sense.

 

[Dave F.]

I don't know, probably court appointed. He is no doubt declared, "indigent".

A minor who is charged with a felony is automatically indigent under Montana juvenile laws. His attorney, Annie DeWolf, is with the State Public Defender's 0ffice for Gallatin County in Bozeman.
To answer another poster's question in the same line, the Billings Youth Detention Center is a regional facility. It houses youth that are charged with serious offenses from throughout southern Montana, and it serves as a stopover point in transporting convicted offenders that are housed in Pine Hills School back to their home community, or to court dates or the state mental hospital at Warm Springs. It has eight maximum security cells plus numerous standard cells. The facility itself was originally the largest adult jail in the state, but has been remodeled and refurbished several many times to keep ahead of changing standards for incarceration of minors. Pine Hills School was once named the Montana State Reform School. I think that name adequately describes it's current function, as well. It is a state-of-the-art facility for youth who have been convicted of serious crimes. Many of the residents are there until they reach majority, so the focus is truly on preparation for responsible adulthood.
Unless JSIII prevails in having his case remanded to juvenile court, he will never see Pine Hills. The Billings facility is the proper place for him pre-conviction, unless he becomes a problem. In that instance, the standard procedure would be to return him to the Gallatin County jail. When he is convicted, he will probably go to the State hospital at Warm Springs for complete mental evaluation, and subsequently be placed within the adult prison system, most likely at the main men's prison in Deer Lodge.
All of this is JMO.

 

[mickey2942]

Yeah & his attorney is likely as appalled as the rest of us but needed to “fight”. Honestly, idk how she can even look at him.

You know, that is very interesting. I worked for many years with people who had done some major criminal acts. For the most part, they acted like "normal" people.

The problem was that for most of them, they made some bad decisions, grew up in the wrong family, didn't think about the consequences of their actions, mostly it was impulsive behavior, usually when using drugs or alcohol.

If we consider that most people who are incarcerated, will be released at some point in time, it is important to help them "unlearn" their previous bad habits and behaviors, so that they can be successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Sometimes, they just don't get it, or want to. But some do.

I would like to think that maybe this dysfunctional family can be rehabilitated. But it is going to take a very long time, if ever.

 

[Niner]

Friday, March 6th:
*Arraignment Hearing (@ am MT) – MT – James Alexander Hurley (12) (found Feb. 3, 2020 deceased in living room, West Yellowstone) - for *James Danny Sasser, Jr. (47) (paternal grandfather) arrested (2/12/20) & charged (2/13/20) with 1 count of felony deliberate homicide. $500K bond.
For *Patricia “Trish” Lynn Batts (48) aka Patricia Sasser & Patricia Rone (paternal grandmother) arrested (2/12/20 & charged (2/13/20) with 1 count of felony deliberate homicide. $750K bond.
2/13/20 Update: Grandparents initial appearance in court. Batts bond set at $750K & Sasser Jr. at $500K. Did not enter any pleas, but requested public defenders. Next arraignment hearing on 3/6 for both.
*James Danny Sasser III (14) (uncle of James) arrested (2/12/20) & charged (2/18/20) with 1 count of felony deliberate homicide (as an adult). Held in Yellowstone Youth Center juvenile facility in Billings. $500K bond.
2/12/20 Update: James Sasser III appeared in juvenile court. Youth court will determine if he stands trial as adult. 2/18/20: DA has filed charges as an adult with Deliberate Homicide (which in Montana can be the equivalent of Murder in First Degree) and Gallatin County Judge John Brown on Wed. (2/19/20) set a hearing for 3/5/20 to decide whether to try JSIII as an adult for torturing & beating James Alex to death. Defense filed motion to rescind that decision and remand it back into the juvenile system.
3/5/20 Update: Sasser III appeared via video in Gallatin County Justice Court & entered a plea of not guilty. Sasser's bail was set at $500,000. He is expected to be tried as an adult; that determination will be made officially at his next court appearance on July 7. He remains in custody at a juvenile facility in Billings.
*Gage Anthony Roush (18) (Friend of JSIII) arrested (2/13/20 & charged (2/14/20) with felony assault on a minor. $50K bond.
2/14/20 Update: Roush made initial appearance in court. His case will continue in District Court. Bond set at $50K. No update as of 3/6.
James was sent to live with his father by his mother; father died in 2018 & ended up living with grandparents. Videos of abuse dating back to December 2019. "Detectives observed videos of what appeared to be the family torturing (James)," the complaint said. Instances of the abuse included James being forced to do exercises -- jumping jacks and wall squats -- along with standing in front of a fan with no clothing but his underwear, according to the complaint. Videos reviewed by detectives also showed the suspects spraying James in the face with an unknown substance that burned him and choking him, & detectives also found food in the house was locked up so James did not have access to it. Roush could be seen on cell phone video beating Hurley with a paddle. 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.”

 

[Niner]

@Trudie - on the link you "tagged" me on didn't have GR next court date, but then I had to put the link into Outline & it sometimes doesn't give what the full article says. Does it have a court date for him in that link? The court site doesn't have the next court date yet.

 

[Yuletide]

Was it stated anywhere what the presumed time of death was for JAH?

 

[Trudie]

the Billings Youth Detention Center is a regional facility.

@Dave F. When I google BYDC the limited info I find reveal it is a health type lock up facility with little capacity to hold many juveniles. One article I posted weeks ago mentioned staff reduction & budget cuts.

 

[Trudie]

@Trudie - on the link you "tagged" me on didn't have GR next court date, but then I had to put the link into Outline & it sometimes doesn't give what the full article says. Does it have a court date for him in that link? The court site doesn't have the next court date yet.

Lol I can’t read article now but yes, his next court date was listed. Stupidly, I did not c & p, sorry. I think it is 3/20 (ish).

 

[Trudie]

Ted Lechner Youth Service Center

^^this is the only youth center I find, it is referred to as a mental health center. Is there another detention center for juvies? @mickey2942 or @Dave F.

 

[Trudie]

Was it stated anywhere what the presumed time of death was for JAH?

imo, it occurred the night before PB alerted LE, or actually that date, with Alex dying after midnight. Nothing mentioned about LE believing there was a delay in notification.
Shocking anyone called, huh?

 

[Niner]

Okay I tried the link above that post - this article:

Prosecutors detail allegations in 12-year-old's torture, death

but of course I had to take it to Outline to read it - and all it had was:

Gage Roush, 18, is charged with felony assault on a minor after prosecutors said he was seen on a video hitting the boy with a paddle. Roush is scheduled to make an initial appearance in District Court on Monday.

So - I'm going to assume 3/9....

 

[Trudie]

Okay I tried the link above that post - this article:

Prosecutors detail allegations in 12-year-old's torture, death

but of course I had to take it to Outline to read it - and all it had was:

Gage Roush, 18, is charged with felony assault on a minor after prosecutors said he was seen on a video hitting the boy with a paddle. Roush is scheduled to make an initial appearance in District Court on Monday.

So - I'm going to assume 3/9....

thank you @Niner
How ridiculous his atty wanted a $5k bond. Imo, he should face attempted murder, not felony assault on a minor.

eta, I found this:
ear-old pleads not guilty to 12-year-old nephew's death ...
www.bozemandailychronicle.com › news › crime › year-old-pleads-not-...

21 hours ago - Court dates for Batts and Sasser Jr. have not been scheduled. Gage Roush, 18, is also charged with felony assault on a minor after prosecutors said he was seen in a video beating the boy with a wooden paddle. Roush is scheduled to have an initial appearance in district court next week.

 

[Trudie]

Re: locked food
Imo, PB locked food to prevent #3 from eating the cupboards bare. He could not maintain his body weight w/o overeating on a regular basis, imo. I think his inability to access food caused him to be even more “hangry”. Also, if food did go missing, #3 probably blamed Alex.
As far as the booze, it sounds like PB, JR & #3 might have enjoyed partaking in a few shots. Idk how anyone sleeps thru such ruckus & one person stated someone had to stay up all night to watch Alex. WTH? They obviously worried Alex would flee and get help, moo.
I’d like to know how MS & #3 performed academically. Idk if MT requires a certain gpa to participate in sports?

Also, I no longer believe Alex received SS. I think PB probably didn’t have the necessary documentation to get the ball rolling. For PB to be payee, she would need something to verify he was in her charge, imo. If Alex received benefits for a disability, his mom probably never transferred payment to bio dad. All MOO. After TT died, PB would need a birth certificate for Alex, it appears Hurley was listed as his father. What a mess......
All moo

 

[Dave F.]

Ted Lechner Youth Service Center

^^this is the only youth center I find, it is referred to as a mental health center. Is there another detention center for juvies? @mickey2942 or @Dave F.

The place you reference is a group home located at 426 South 26th St in Billings, named for Ted Lechner, a longtime juvenile officer and judge.
The place you are looking for is sometimes called the "Yellowstone County Youth Services Center: located at 217 North 27th St. Ted Lechner was the driving force behind it's creation, but it is not named after him. There are other facilities for housing youth offenders at that address, but I do not know their names. The entire top floor of the Yellowstone County Courthouse is devoted to youth detention facilities, while the entire floor below is deliberately kept vacant. Neither floor can be accessed by public elevators or stairways, and one of those floors cannot be accessed from the other. It provides utmost privacy, yet at the same time provides residents breathtaking panoramic views of Billiings and the entire Yellowstone Valley. IMO