UPDATE on Joe Robertson
By Shari Dovale
Joe Robertson is the 77 year old disabled veteran that was convicted and sentenced for building stock ponds on his property.
Judge Donald Molloy sentenced Joe to 18 months in Federal custody on July 20, 2016. He was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs, without being allowed to say goodbye to his wife, or his service dog, Sasha.
Joe was originally housed in Missoula County jail, however, he has been moved to The Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby, Montana. This is a few hours northeast of Missoula, near the Canadian border. This move appears to have taken place today, Friday, July 29, 2016.
It does sound like Joe might have longer visiting hours, possibly a bit more freedom to move around. However, they had just gotten him with a doctor to straighten out his medications, and now he must start that process all over again.
Yes, Joe did end up in the hospital emergency room the day after his was booked, due to his heart. So, there is already a reason to watch him closely on his health.
Joe has been able to talk to his wife, Carri, a couple of times per day via telephone. He is working hard at keeping his spirits up.
Michael Donahoe, the Public Defender that has not been much help to Joe so far, did agree in court to file the appeal for Joe. He made indications that he would have it filed by last Friday, July 22, 2016. This did not happen.
Donahoe then told Carri that he would file this week. This, also, has not happened. He again changed his expected filing date to sometime next week.
The deadline for filing the notice of appeal is August 3, 2016. That is next Wednesday. Let us all hope and pray that he does not miss this deadline.
Carri did tell me that Donahoe has informed the prosecution that they need to have a brief prepared for a possible bail hearing, though he does not expect Judge Molloy to grant it.
There is a GO FUND ME account that has been authorized by the family of Joe Robertson. Here is the link, if you can help: https://www.gofundme.com/2gkp26z8
We will continue to bring you updates as we receive them.
If indeed an important ecology error – broken law was commited wouldn’t house arrest been appropriate?
Here is the address of the jail if you were to send him a kind letter of support to brighten his day:
Crossroads Correctional Center
50 Crossroads Dr.
Shelby, MT 59474
(406)- 434-7400
The 8th Amendment says:
“Excessive bail shall not be required, NOR EXCESSIVE FINES IMPOSED, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
ANY fine at all in this case is “excessive”, especially at his age and service history! Just the fact that he is in jail is excessive, but I think also qualifies as cruel and unusual for being in poor health as well.
If the Americans are coming they had better hurry up. He may not have long….