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

[mickey2942]

Don't think the courts appreciate the attention this case has gotten from out of the area MOO

I checked the "Billings Gazette", nothing. It is not like they have a death penalty case in Montana every day or anything. This is huge, and is ignored.

 

[mickey2942]

Juvenile suspect in West Yellowstone boy's death to be tried as adult

 

[Niner]

Juvenile suspect in West Yellowstone boy's death to be tried as adult

Actually that article is from Feb. 2020. In my notes I have:

7/29/20 Update: The teen's defense attorney, Annie DeWolf, says they're getting a second opinion to decide if he can be tried as an adult. Hearing was postponed. No further dates available.


They all had a hearing on 7/29/20 which was postponed. Anyone have access to Gallatin County court site? I don't....

 

[Niner]

Bumping up for James...

anyone hear of any court dates for these &&#$((@

 

[mickey2942]

Bumping up for James...

anyone hear of any court dates for these &&#$((@

I have been checking. It seems so odd, a death penalty child abuse case is definitely not the norm here. And there is little news.

 

[Niner]

I have been checking. It seems so odd, a death penalty child abuse case is definitely not the norm here. And there is little news.

Thank you for checking mickey!

 

[Dave F.]

The first trial, of the grandfather JS2, is set for March 29, 2021 in Bozeman. It is expected to last ten days. If there is a guilty verdict on any charges, it will then go in to the sentencing phase, which in Montana is like another trial, in which the victim's family, advocates, etc all will have an opportunity to voice their concern.
There have been no other trial dates set yet in this case. IMO

First trial date set in murder of 12-year-old West Yellowstone boy

 

[Luckyzmom]

@Niner check it out !! Thanks very much @Dave F.

 

[Niner]

The first trial, of the grandfather JS2, is set for March 29, 2021 in Bozeman. It is expected to last ten days. If there is a guilty verdict on any charges, it will then go in to the sentencing phase, which in Montana is like another trial, in which the victim's family, advocates, etc all will have an opportunity to voice their concern.
There have been no other trial dates set yet in this case. IMO

First trial date set in murder of 12-year-old West Yellowstone boy

@Niner check it out !! Thanks very much @Dave F.

Thanks for the article, but that's from July and I already have that info... : And thanks for the "tag" Luckyzmom!

Their last hearings were all on 7/29/20. You would think they would have some more, eh? I can't access the Gallatin County....

 

[Dave F.]

Thanks for the article, but that's from July and I already have that info... : And thanks for the "tag" Luckyzmom!

Their last hearings were all on 7/29/20. You would think they would have some more, eh? I can't access the Gallatin County....

Montana courts do not not any keep records online. Items such as next hearing or court date are kept on a log in the offices of the Clerk of Court. While they are available to the general public in theory, They remain in plain sight with easy access so that an employee will not be required to help a person with access. News reporters, lawyers, paralegals and basically anyone else with a need to know is skilled in quickly accessing the information that they need. Local news sources are very good at keeping up, and because they are interlinked statewide, news from the court register is not limited to local entities.

With that explained, the news is that there is nothing in the register for trial dates or upcoming hearings for the others. As the news article states, those were postponed. When they become available those dates should make the news.

My guess right now is that defense attorneys will try to get trial dates sooner for the family friend who is charged, followed by the grandson (which is still pending final rulings on appeal of the charges as an adult), followed by PB herself. It appears to me that MS's attorney is pursuing a strategy to be the last one tried. If any of the defendants reach a plea agreement, or decide without agreement to plead guilty and thus limit the judge's exposure to the evidence against them prior to sentencing; that normally would be entered on the first trial date. Montana law is unlike any other state in the union in criminal law. I do not pretend to understand it, and am certainly not a lawyer. My advice is to hang on...........most of it will happen between March 29, 2021 and about December 15, 2021.
IMO, IANAL

 

[Niner]

Thanks for that explanation @Dave F. - much appreciated. So... we wait....

 

[Luckyzmom]

Thanks very much @Dave F. Appreciate your posting this for us. And we wait and pray for justice for this young man taken from this world too soon. TYSM @Niner as always

 

[mickey2942]

October 29, 2020 James Sasser III has a court hearing. @Niner

Will post link and summary. Pending.

 

[Niner]

Thanks @mickey2942 !

 

[Dave F.]

Don't think the courts appreciate the attention this case has gotten from out of the area MOO

Gallatin county, Montana is a very laid back, beautiful area that is a second home to a broad selection of the rich and famous people of the world, many of whom end up in court for one reason or another. The courts in Bozeman are certainly accustomed to out of state attention, and treat all public attention with equal indifference.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle is very good about reporting important news. When it deems information to be important, the Chronicle will be the first to report it.
Many years ago, the Chronicle published a large color photograph of a famous man, with one leg into the driver's seat of a big, black SUV at the Bozeman Airport, headed to "an unknown location" to ski. I was sitting in a local restaurant reading the paper when a gentleman stopped, and over my shoulder said "Can I look at that photo?" I said: "Sure, it's John F. Kennedy Jr out at the airport." He shot back: "Thanks, but I was looking at the car. I'm thinking about getting one of those. I didn't think I would like the black, but this one looks pretty good!" IMO

 

[mickey2942]

Thanks @mickey2942 !

Facebook posts that it is the actual trial. Have not seen anything MSM.

 

[Niner]

Facebook posts that it is the actual trial. Have not seen anything MSM.

I highly doubt it... They haven't even had any pretrial hearings... just my guess!

 

[MajorHoople]

October 29, 2020 James Sasser III has a court hearing. @Niner

Will post link and summary. Pending.

I once had a Senator named James Sasser. Fortunately he lost his last election.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, October 29th:
*Hearing (@ am MT) – MT – James Alexander Hurley (12) (found Feb. 3, 2020 deceased in living room, West Yellowstone) – for *James Danny Sasser III (14) (uncle of James) arrested (2/12/20), charged (2/18/20) & arraigned (3/5/20) with 1 count of felony deliberate homicide (as an adult). Plead not guilty. Held in Yellowstone Youth Center juvenile facility in Billings. $500K bond.
James' info & court info from 2/12/20 thru 3/5/20 reference post #902 here:
MT - James Hurley, 12, tortured to death, W. Yellowstone, Feb 2020 grandparents & 14 yo uncle arrest
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. Next hearing on 7/29/20.
7/29/20 Update: The teen's defense attorney, Annie DeWolf, says they're getting a second opinion to decide if he can be tried as an adult. Hearing was postponed. Next hearing on 10/29/20.

 

[mickey2942]

Teen uncle accepts plea deal in 12-year-old West Yellowstone boy's death

The 15 year old took a plea deal. He will not be charged as an adult, will remain in a juvenile facility until age 18, probation until age 25. He will not have a record as a violent offender. He will have to attend mental health treatment.

My opinion, is that this won't be the last time this person will be involved with LEO. I shudder if he could possibly get involved with someone who has children.