Subscribe
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Menu
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events

Vigil held for Montana boy who was beaten to death

in News
Fourth charged in connection to West Yellowstone torture, murder
Outlaw Partnersby Outlaw Partners
February 29, 2020

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEST YELLOWSTONE – About 200 people attended a Feb. 23 vigil for a 12-year-old Montana boy who was beaten to death earlier this month.

James “Alex” Hurley of West Yellowstone died on Feb. 3 of head injuries, officials said. His grandparents, James Sasser Jr. and Patricia Batts, and his 14-year-old uncle face deliberate homicide charges. They have not entered pleas.

Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad

Alex had been living with his grandparents for about two years and had been taken out of school in West Yellowstone in September, charging documents said.

Prosecutors said Alex’s grandmother and uncle were seen in video not allowing him to use the bathroom, beating him with a paddle and forcing him to remain in a squatting position while he cried in pain. Other evidence indicated he was beaten with a wooden paddle and that his family withheld food from him.

Toni Brey spoke during the vigil, calling Alex an All-American boy who always greeted her with a hug and a smile. “I think of the bravery and the strength it takes to be a light when the darkness is all around you,” Brey said. “When it threatens to consume you, to smile when others make you cry.”

Outlaw Realty Outlaw Realty
Outlaw Realty
ADVERTISEMENT

Listen

Hoary Marmot Podcast

Joe Borden & Michele Veale Borden

Lastest Episode
See More Episodes

Upcoming Events

May 15
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Flag Raising at Soldiers Chapel

May 16
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Trivia at Waypoint

May 17
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

A Spiritual Awakening: Verdi, Simon, Ives

May 18
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

A Spiritual Awakening: Verdi, Simon, Ives

May 20
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

American Legion Bingo

View Calendar
Event Calendar

Related Posts

Big Sky May 6 election results
Featured

Big Sky May 6 election results

May 6, 2025
Big Sky track teams race towards end of season
News

Big Sky track teams race towards end of season

April 29, 2025
Wildfire Wire: Pitch in for all of us 
News

Wildfire Wire: Pitch in for all of us 

April 29, 2025
Skim or swim: Big Sky’s closing weekend makes a splash with the return of pond skim
Featured

Skim or swim: Big Sky’s closing weekend makes a splash with the return of pond skim

April 28, 2025

An Outlaw Partners Publication

Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Explore Big Sky

  • About/Contact
  • Advertise
  • Publications
  • Subscriptions
  • Podcast
  • Submissions

Outlaw Brands

  • Big Sky PBR
  • Hey Bear
  • Mountain Outlaw
  • Outlaw Partners
  • Outlaw Realty
  • Plan Yellowstone

Copyright © 2025 Explore Big Sky | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Yellowstone
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Real Estate
  • Events

©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Explore Big Sky Logo
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Subscribe
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube