Bigfork man back in prison for further violations

Jason Scott Hill, 35, of Bigfork, was transferred to Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge on Tuesday for breaking the terms of his probation and bail-jumping.

Hill was sentenced last week in Flathead District Court byu Judge Robert Allison to three years in the state prison, with 18 months suspended and credit for 184 days of time served as a result of a revoked suspended sentence on a felony threats in official matters charge.

Hill previously was convicted of felony threats in official matters in 2012 after threatening to kill a Montana Highway Patrol trooper and his family while the trooper was responding to a report of a drunk driver. According to court documents, Hill tried to fight the officer and resisted arrest.

In addition to the revocation hearing, Hill was sentenced to five years in Montana State Prison on a felony bail-jumping charge, with all time suspended, to run consecutively to his other sentence.

Hill's prior history also includes being convicted of disorderly conduct several times. His court file notes he was abusive to jail staff during a prior incarceration in Flathead County.

A recent psychological evaluation indicated that Hill suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. Additionally, Hill was tentatively diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder due to a traumatic brain injury and bipolar disorder, but the psychological evaluation stated that additional testing and evaluations were required for a “firm diagnosis.”

Before sentencing, defense attorney Nicholas Aemisegger presented the court with four character reference letters.

“[The letters are] generally describing Jason in terms of his nature — some of the good deeds he has done while out, especially in respect to the elderly and children,” Aemisegger said.

Aemisegger said the letters also confirm that “there are some psychological issues that have certainly contributed to some of the issues he's had.” Aemisegger said that both Hill and his family have suspected the traumatic brain injury and childhood trauma have contributed to his difficulties, particularly toward people in positions of authority.

“I know he is interested in confronting some of these issues,” Aemisegger said. “He's committed to doing whatever it takes to make that happen.”

Hill's sentencing was well-attended by family and friends, some of whom became very emotional while the judge and prosecutor took time to read the letters.

While sentencing Hill, Allison said that Hill needs “to accept a measure of personal responsibility.”

“I think this is an appropriate sentence for Mr. Hill. I think he deserves some measure of consequence for his conduct both while he was out on probation using substances as well as some of the matters discussed in terms of threatening officers. I think that consequence is captured by this plea agreement,” Allison said.

Hill was also given an opportunity to address the court. Hill apologized to his family.

“I just want to say sorry for my family going through this and I do know that I need treatment. I'm going to try really hard to anything I can to get that,” Hill said. “I'm a good person. I know I need to seek counseling and I know I should have a better future.

“I don't know how I fell off doing what I did when I was doing so good.”

Allison said he guessed it was a choice.

“You're only 35. You've got a lot of life ahead of you. You don't want to do it in an orange jumpsuit,” Allison said.

Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.