GUILTY MT - James Hurley, 12, tortured to death, W. Yellowstone, Feb 2020 grandparents & uncle arrested #2

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 15th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am MT) – MT – James Alexander Hurley (12) (found Feb. 3, 2020 deceased in living room, West Yellowstone) - for *James Danny Sasser, Jr. (47/now 49) (paternal grandfather) arrested (2/12/20), charged (2/13/20) & arraigned (3/6/20) with 1 count of felony deliberate homicide, 1 count of criminal child endangerment & 1 count of tampering with witnesses & informants. $500K bond.
Trial was set to begin on 3/29/21 was rescheduled to 9/20/21 has been vacated as Sasser plead guilty on 8/6/21.
Court info from 2/13/20 thru 7/31/21 reference post #23 here:
MT - James Hurley, 12, tortured to death, W. Yellowstone, Feb 2020 grandparents & uncle arrested #2
8/6/21 Update: James Sasser Jr. plead guilty to 3 felony charges & admitted to felony deliberate homicide in the murder of James & also plead guilty to tampering with a witness & criminal child endangerment. During the plea change hearing, which lasted less than half an hour, Sasser Jr. admitted under oath that Hurley’s death was “the result of an aggravated assault by James III,” as phrased by his lawyer Colin M. Stephens. Prior to Sasser pleading guilty, Gallatin County District Court Judge John Brown asked him if he understood the gravity of the admitting guilt." Prosecutors Bjorn E. Boyer & Marty Lambert recommended in the plea agreement that Sasser be sentenced to 100 years in the Montana state prison for the deliberate homicide charge with none suspended, 10 years in the Montana prison for the criminal child endangerment charge with none suspended & 10 years in the Montana state prison with none suspended for tampering with witnesses. State agrees that the sentences run concurrently. Sasser Jr.’s sentencing for his involvement in Hurley’s death is scheduled for 9am on Tuesday, 11/9/21. Judge John Brown scheduled a full day for the sentencing.
11/9/21 Update: Sentencing hearing was rescheduled on 1/14/22. 1/14/22 Update: Sasser Jr. listened via video call as the mother of James Alex gave a victim’s statement during what was meant to be Sasser Jr.’s sentencing hearing at the Law & Justice Center on 1/14/22. Sasser Jr.’s sentencing was postponed because he tested positive for COVID-19 the day before & could not be physically present for the hearing. Because Davis was already enroute to Bozeman, Judge Brown began the sentencing hearing Friday morning & sent the court into recess after Davis testified. The court is scheduled to reconvene for the remainder of the sentencing hearing on 2/15/22 at 9am.
*Patricia “Trish” Lynn Batts (48/now 50) – last was pretrial hearing on 6/11/21. Jury selection on 5/31/22 & trial to begin on 6/1/22. No update as of 1/21/22.
*James Danny Sasser III (14/now 16) - 10/29/20: Judge Brown handed down a sentence that requires the teen to be detained at a juvenile detention facility until he turns 18. After his release, he will be on probation until he turns 25. The 15-year-old will not be registered as a violent offender.
*Gage Anthony Roush (18/now 20) - 11/18/20: Per peal deal Roush was given a 5 year deferred sentence for assaulting James.
*Madison Sasser (18/now 20) - 1/29/21: Per plea agreement Madison was sentenced to youth probation with the Montana Dept. of Corrections until she turns 21. After that she’ll be on adult probation until she turns 25. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the felony negligent homicide charge against her.

 

[Niner]

Anyone find what the sentence was on Sasser? All I'm getting are very old articles.

TIA if anyone can find something!

 

[Niner]

Anyone find what the sentence was on Sasser? All I'm getting are very old articles.

TIA if anyone can find something!

Bumping up my post....

 

[mickey2942]

Bumping up my post....

https://gallatin-so-mt.zuercherportal.com/#/inmates

He is still at Gallatin County Detention Center. So, no sentence yet.

 

[Niner]

https://gallatin-so-mt.zuercherportal.com/#/inmates

He is still at Gallatin County Detention Center. So, no sentence yet.

Okay - thanks for looking!

 

[Niner]

Finally!!

https://www.kbzk.com/news/crime-cou...-behind-bars-in-connection-to-grandsons-death

Mar 4, 2022
BOZEMAN - A West Yellowstone man was sentenced to 100 years in Montana State Prison for his role in the death of his 12-year-old grandson, who was reportedly tortured and killed in the man’s West Yellowstone home.

James Sasser Jr was sentenced to 100 years for the count on deliberate homicide on Friday afternoon by Judge John Brown. He was also sentenced to 10 years for the charge of criminal child endangerment, and 10 years for tampering with evidence.

 

[Niner]

And I have Batts on 5/31/22 for jury selection & trial starting on 6/1/22.

If anyone can find any hearings for her before trial - it would be appreciated. Her last hearing was on 6/11/21.
TIA!

 

[Niner]

@mickey2942 - any luck in finding something on Batts? before jury selection?

TIA!

 

[Niner]

@mickey2942 - I have your name in my notes to ask you about this case - I have jury selection starting on 5/31 & trial to start on 6/1/22.

Is it still "a go"??

TIA!

 

[Yvettea]

@mickey2942 - I have your name in my notes to ask you about this case - I have jury selection starting on 5/31 & trial to start on 6/1/22.

Is it still "a go"??

TIA!

Apr 11, 2022
A jury trial scheduled to begin on May 31 for a woman charged with deliberate homicide for the 2020 murder of her 12-year-old grandson has been postponed.

Patricia Batts is charged with four felonies, including deliberate homicide in the death of a child, following the death of her paternal grandson James Alex Hurley in February 2020.

In addition to deliberate homicide, the charges against Batts are aggravated kidnapping, criminal child endangerment and strangulation of a partner or family member.

A jury trial had been set to begin May 31 in Gallatin County District Court. On Monday, Judge John Brown vacated the June jury trial.

The trial will be rescheduled, although an exact date has not been set.

Postponing the trial was at the request of Batts’ defense attorneys, Craig Kevin Shannon and Gregory Jackson, who asked the trial not be reset until June 2023 at the earliest.

They argued Monday during a motion hearing in district court that there was not enough time to prepare for the jury trial, especially with a host of motions that have not yet been ruled on.

Several issues have yet to be decided — including the question of whether Batts is eligible for the death penalty.

Shannon and Jackson have argued against the death penalty, saying Batts is ineligible for the death penalty because she personally didn’t deliver the blow that killed him.

Prosecutors Bjorn Boyer and Lambert have argued that Batts is the one who taught her children to beat Hurley, including hitting him and physically disciplining him when she wasn’t around, and that she’s legally responsible for his murder.

Until Brown rules on the whether the death penalty can be considered, the defense argued Monday it would not be appropriate to begin selecting a jury as the jury would have to be death-qualified, or prepared to hand down a capital sentence.

Trial for grandmother in West Yellowstone murder case postponed | Crime and Courts | bozemandailychronicle.com

 

[Niner]

@Yvettea - thank you for that article - but geez - they've had 2 years to get ready...

 

[Niner]

Oh @Yvettea - can you access the Gallatin County court site? Her case #CR-20-63.

Just would like to know if there will be another hearing soon.

TIA if you can!

 

[Niner]

this up - just in case someone has heard anything about the case - any court dates upcoming?
I'm only coming up with the April, 2022 article already posted.

TIA!

 

[mickey2942]

this up - just in case someone has heard anything about the case - any court dates upcoming?
I'm only coming up with the April, 2022 article already posted.

TIA!

Crime and Courts

Bozeman-area crime and courts news from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle -- Empowering the Community

www.bozemandailychronicle.com

I just checked this, not sure if you can see it. No mention of Patricia Batts, or upcoming trial. Which would seem to be pretty big news in Gallatin County.

 

[Niner]

Crime and Courts

Bozeman-area crime and courts news from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle -- Empowering the Community

www.bozemandailychronicle.com

I just checked this, not sure if you can see it. No mention of Patricia Batts, or upcoming trial. Which would seem to be pretty big news in Gallatin County.

Thanks - but can't access the Bozeman article.

and yes - you would think it would be "big" news there....

 

[Niner]

I'm going to go ahead & post this so I can shorten this up a bit.

Tuesday, May 31st:
*Trial begins with Jury Selection-POSTPONED! (@ am MT) – MT – James Alexander Hurley (12) (found Feb. 3, 2020 deceased in living room, West Yellowstone) - *Patricia “Trish” Lynn Batts (48/now 50) aka Patricia Sasser & Patricia Rone (paternal grandmother) arrested (2/12/20), charged (2/13/20) & arraigned (3/24/20) with 1 count of felony deliberate homicide. Charged (3/5/20) & arraigned (3/24/20) with aggravated kidnapping, criminal child endangerment & 1st degree strangulation. Plead not guilty to all charges. $750K bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial was set to begin on 5/31/22 with jury selection & trial on 6/1/22 was vacated to June, 2023, no specific date yet.
James' info & court info from 2/13/20 thru 7/29/20 reference post #994 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...randparents-and-uncle-arrested.504632/page-50
12/31/20 Update: Batts' case is scheduled for a 20-day trial to start on May 31, 2022. Next hearing on 6/11/21.
6/11/21 Update: Batts appeared with defense attorneys Craig Shannon & Greg Jackson before Gallatin County District Court Judge John Brown on Friday. Defense attorneys plan to file motions by the end of October challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty in the case, although lawyers did not go into detail on Friday about their arguments. Attorneys also agreed to move the start date for Batts trial from May 31, 2022, to June 1, 2022. The defense attorney for Batts wants the videos thrown out. Defense attorneys also shared with prosecutor Bjorn Boyer copies of four motions challenging LE searches related to their client. LE say investigators found videos on a cell phone belonging to Batts & her teenage son, James Sasser III, of the family torturing Hurley. Defense attorneys plan to file 14 other motions, including challenges to the constitutionality of capital punishment in the case, before the trail is scheduled to start.
12/20/21 Update: Responses to the motions from prosecutors are due on Jan. 28, 2022. Boyer and Lambert said that they believe the motions lack merit & will file responses by the above deadline, but declined to comment further on the motions or their potential responses.
5/9/22 Update: A jury trial scheduled to begin on May 31 for Batts has been postponed. Judge John Brown vacated the June jury trial. The trial will be rescheduled, although an exact date has not been set. Postponing the trial was at the request of Batts’ defense attorneys, Craig Kevin Shannon & Gregory Jackson, who asked the trial not be reset until June 2023 at the earliest. They argued Monday during a motion hearing in district court that there was not enough time to prepare for the jury trial, especially with a host of motions that have not yet been ruled on. Several issues have yet to be decided — including the question of whether Batts is eligible for the death penalty. Shannon & Jackson have argued against the death penalty, saying Batts is ineligible for the death penalty because she personally didn’t deliver the blow that killed him. Prosecutors Bjorn Boyer & Lambert have argued that Batts is the one who taught her children to beat Hurley, including hitting him & physically disciplining him when she wasn’t around & that she’s legally responsible for his murder. Until Judge Brown rules on the whether the death penalty can be considered, the defense argued Monday it would not be appropriate to begin selecting a jury as the jury would have to be death-qualified, or prepared to hand down a capital sentence. Judge has set the trial to start in June, 2023 with no specific date set.
*James Danny Sasser, Jr. (47/now 49) (paternal grandfather) - 3/4/22: was sentenced to 100 years for the count on deliberate homicide on 3/4/22 Friday afternoon by Judge John Brown. He was also sentenced to 10 years for the charge of criminal child endangerment & 10 years for tampering with evidence.
*James Danny Sasser III (14/now 16) - 10/29/20: Judge Brown handed down a sentence that requires the teen to be detained at a juvenile detention facility until he turns 18. After his release, he will be on probation until he turns 25. The 15-year-old will not be registered as a violent offender.
*Gage Anthony Roush (18/now 20) - 11/18/20: Per peal deal Roush was given a 5 year deferred sentence for assaulting James.
*Madison Sasser (18/now 20) - 1/29/21: Per plea agreement Madison was sentenced to youth probation with the Montana Dept. of Corrections until she turns 21. After that she’ll be on adult probation until she turns 25. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the felony negligent homicide charge against her.

 

[Niner]

Death penalty hearing set to begin for grandmother of James Alexander Hurley

Patricia Batts is charged with deliberate homicide in connection with the death of her grandson, Alex Hurley, in West Yellowstone.

www.kbzk.com

June 6, 2022

A death penalty hearing for Patricia Batts—charged with deliberate homicide in connection with the death of her grandson, Alex Hurley—is slated to begin at the Gallatin County Law and Justice Center on Monday, June 6.

Initially, Batts was to begin a jury trial in May of 2022, but Judge John Brown has informed counsel that he is considering a later date, potentially July 2023, though no official date has been set.

 

[Niner]

Monday, June 6th:
*Motions Hearing (re Death Penalty) (@ am MT) – MT – James Alexander Hurley (12) (found Feb. 3, 2020 deceased in living room, West Yellowstone) - for *Patricia “Trish” Lynn Batts (48/now 50) aka Patricia Sasser & Patricia Rone (paternal grandmother) arrested (2/12/20), charged (2/13/20) & arraigned (3/24/20) with 1 count of felony deliberate homicide. Charged (3/5/20) & arraigned (3/24/20) with aggravated kidnapping, criminal child endangerment & 1st degree strangulation. Plead not guilty to all charges. $750K bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial was set to begin on 5/31/22 with jury selection & trial on 6/1/22 was vacated to July, 2023, no specific date yet.
James' info & Court info from 2/13/20 thru 12/20/21 reference post #56 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...0-grandparents-uncle-arrested-2.574078/page-3
5/9/22 Update: A jury trial scheduled to begin on May 31 for Batts has been postponed. Judge John Brown vacated the June jury trial. The trial will be rescheduled, although an exact date has not been set. Postponing the trial was at the request of Batts’ defense attorneys, Craig Kevin Shannon & Gregory Jackson, who asked the trial not be reset until June 2023 at the earliest. They argued Monday during a motion hearing in district court that there was not enough time to prepare for the jury trial, especially with a host of motions that have not yet been ruled on. Several issues have yet to be decided — including the question of whether Batts is eligible for the death penalty. Shannon & Jackson have argued against the death penalty, saying Batts is ineligible for the death penalty because she personally didn’t deliver the blow that killed him. Prosecutors Bjorn Boyer & Lambert have argued that Batts is the one who taught her children to beat Hurley, including hitting him & physically disciplining him when she wasn’t around & that she’s legally responsible for his murder. Until Judge Brown rules on the whether the death penalty can be considered, the defense argued Monday it would not be appropriate to begin selecting a jury as the jury would have to be death-qualified, or prepared to hand down a capital sentence. Judge has set the trial to start in July, 2023 with no specific date set.
6/6/22 Update: Motions hearing re death penalty on 6/6/22.
*James Danny Sasser, Jr. (47/now 49) (paternal grandfather) - 3/4/22: was sentenced to 100 years for the count on deliberate homicide on 3/4/22 Friday afternoon by Judge John Brown. He was also sentenced to 10 years for the charge of criminal child endangerment & 10 years for tampering with evidence.
*James Danny Sasser III (14/now 16) - 10/29/20: Judge Brown handed down a sentence that requires the teen to be detained at a juvenile detention facility until he turns 18. After his release, he will be on probation until he turns 25. The 15-year-old will not be registered as a violent offender.
*Gage Anthony Roush (18/now 20) - 11/18/20: Per peal deal Roush was given a 5 year deferred sentence for assaulting James.
*Madison Sasser (18/now 20) - 1/29/21: Per plea agreement Madison was sentenced to youth probation with the Montana Dept. of Corrections until she turns 21. After that she’ll be on adult probation until she turns 25. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the felony negligent homicide charge against her.

 

[Niner]

Judge hears arguments for and against death penalty in Patricia Batts case

www.kbzk.com

June 7, 2022

The defense council for Patricia Batts argued seven different motions in Gallatin County District Court on June 6, the majority citing the unconstitutionality of the death penalty in Batts’ case.

Craig Shannon, a criminal defense lawyer and a member of Batts’ defense team, began the hearing saying that the death penalty should not be implemented in this case because Patricia did not intend or attempt to kill anyone.
[.....]
A point in the defense's argument was the act of killing, and who did kill 12-year-old Alex Hurley: in which they pointed responsibility to Alex’s grandfather, James Sasser Jr. and his uncle, James Sasser III.

Several items argued were in the vein of the same core issue, such as the determination of sentencing—in which two separate motions were filed for different amendment violations—but to hear all motions took the entirety of the day.
[.....]
The next steps for Batts’ case will be the proposed orders from counsel to Judge Brown. In these hearings it is standard practice to not decide on a motion until a later date.

Judge Brown is expected to make a ruling on whether or not Batts will face the death penalty on August 1.

 

[Niner]

Monday, August 1st:
*Motions Hearing (re Death Penalty) (@ am MT) – MT – James Alexander Hurley (12) (found Feb. 3, 2020 deceased in living room, West Yellowstone) - for *Patricia “Trish” Lynn Batts (48/now 50) aka Patricia Sasser & Patricia Rone (paternal grandmother) arrested (2/12/20), charged (2/13/20) & arraigned (3/24/20) with 1 count of felony deliberate homicide. Charged (3/5/20) & arraigned (3/24/20) with aggravated kidnapping, criminal child endangerment & 1st degree strangulation. Plead not guilty to all charges. $750K bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial set to begin on July, 2023, no specific date yet.
James' info & Court info from 2/13/20 thru 6/5/22 reference post #58 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...0-grandparents-uncle-arrested-2.574078/page-3
6/3/22 Update: Motions hearing death penalty on 6/6/22. Defense filed 7 difference motions re death penalty. 6/6/22 Update: Craig Shannon, a criminal defense lawyer & a member of Batts’ defense team, began the hearing saying that the death penalty should not be implemented in this case because Patricia did not intend or attempt to kill anyone. For each motion, the defense presented their argument to Judge John Brown, elaborating the unconstitutionality in the issue they’re presenting, followed by County Attorney Marty Lambert & Deputy County Attorney Bjorn Boyer to address the issues & present the State’s answer to the motion. Throughout these motions, the judge often asked questions to either the defense lawyer or prosecutor to gain further understanding. The next steps for Batts’ case will be the proposed orders from counsel to Judge Brown. In these hearings it is standard practice to not decide on a motion until a later date. Several items argued were in the vein of the same core issue, such as the determination of sentencing—in which two separate motions were filed for different amendment violations—but to hear all motions took the entirety of the day. For each motion, the defense presented their argument to Judge John Brown, elaborating the unconstitutionality in the issue they’re presenting, followed by County Attorney Marty Lambert & Deputy County Attorney Bjorn Boyer to address the issues & present the State’s answer to the motion. Throughout these motions, the judge often asked questions to either the defense lawyer or prosecutor to gain further understanding. The next steps for Batts’ case will be the proposed orders from counsel to Judge Brown. In these hearings it is standard practice to not decide on a motion until a later date. Judge Brown is expected to make a ruling on whether or not Batts will face the death penalty on 8/1/22.
*James Danny Sasser, Jr. (47/now 49) (paternal grandfather) - 3/4/22: was sentenced to 100 years for the count on deliberate homicide on 3/4/22 Friday afternoon by Judge John Brown. He was also sentenced to 10 years for the charge of criminal child endangerment & 10 years for tampering with evidence.
*James Danny Sasser III (14/now 16) (2/12/20 date of offense) - 10/29/20: Judge Brown handed down a sentence that requires the teen to be detained at a juvenile detention facility until he turns 18. After his release, he will be on probation until he turns 25. The 15-year-old will not be registered as a violent offender.
*Gage Anthony Roush (18/now 20) - 11/18/20: Per peal deal Roush was given a 5 year deferred sentence for assaulting James.
*Madison Sasser (18/now 20) - 1/29/21: Per plea agreement Madison was sentenced to youth probation with the Montana Dept. of Corrections until she turns 21. After that she’ll be on adult probation until she turns 25. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the felony negligent homicide charge against her.