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State of Montana v. Thomas Jerry Hill
Date: 04-21-2026
Case Number: 2026 MT 84
Judge: Not Available
Court: District Court, Missoula County, Montana
Plaintiff's Attorney: Matt Jennings
Defendant's Attorney: Jim Siegman
Description:
Missoula, Montana, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with attempted robbery.
Digested by Kent Morlan
In October 2021, Hill was arrested and appeared before the Missoula County Justice Court on charges of robbery and disorderly conduct. He was held at Montana State Hospital (MSH) and later transferred to the Missoula County Detention Facility (MCDF). At his arraignment hearing on November 8, 2021, Hill’s counsel raised concerns about his fitness to stand trial. In December 2021, defense counsel reported to the court that providers found Hill unfit to proceed. Defense counsel requested a 90-day evaluation. The court ordered that MSH evaluate Hill and stayed proceedings pending MSH’s mental health evaluation.
MSH admitted Hill in July 2022 and evaluated him the following month. In September 2022, MSH completed the requested mental health evaluation. MSH found Hill unfit to proceed, noting that a major impediment was his refusal to take psychotropic medication. That same month, the State moved for a Sell hearing. See Sell v. United States, 539 U.S. 166, 123 S. Ct. 2174 (2003). In October 2022, the District Court granted the State’s motion, extending Hill’s stay at MSH an additional 90 days and authorizing involuntary administration of medication. In January 2023, providers reported that Hill was still unfit to stand trial, leading the court to extend his commitment for another 90 days. At a status hearing held on April 20, 2023, defense counsel reported that Hill was fit to proceed to trial. The State informed the court that it provided an omnibus form and plea offer to Hill and requested a continuance to work on resolution of the plea.
On July 6, 2023, the parties reached a plea agreement. The State agreed to dismiss Count II’s charge of disorderly conduct and to amend Count I from a charge of robbery to attempted robbery, to which Hill agreed to plead guilty. At the change of plea hearing held that same day, Hill informed the court that he had read and signed the plea agreement.
Digested by Kent Morlan
In October 2021, Hill was arrested and appeared before the Missoula County Justice Court on charges of robbery and disorderly conduct. He was held at Montana State Hospital (MSH) and later transferred to the Missoula County Detention Facility (MCDF). At his arraignment hearing on November 8, 2021, Hill’s counsel raised concerns about his fitness to stand trial. In December 2021, defense counsel reported to the court that providers found Hill unfit to proceed. Defense counsel requested a 90-day evaluation. The court ordered that MSH evaluate Hill and stayed proceedings pending MSH’s mental health evaluation.
MSH admitted Hill in July 2022 and evaluated him the following month. In September 2022, MSH completed the requested mental health evaluation. MSH found Hill unfit to proceed, noting that a major impediment was his refusal to take psychotropic medication. That same month, the State moved for a Sell hearing. See Sell v. United States, 539 U.S. 166, 123 S. Ct. 2174 (2003). In October 2022, the District Court granted the State’s motion, extending Hill’s stay at MSH an additional 90 days and authorizing involuntary administration of medication. In January 2023, providers reported that Hill was still unfit to stand trial, leading the court to extend his commitment for another 90 days. At a status hearing held on April 20, 2023, defense counsel reported that Hill was fit to proceed to trial. The State informed the court that it provided an omnibus form and plea offer to Hill and requested a continuance to work on resolution of the plea.
On July 6, 2023, the parties reached a plea agreement. The State agreed to dismiss Count II’s charge of disorderly conduct and to amend Count I from a charge of robbery to attempted robbery, to which Hill agreed to plead guilty. At the change of plea hearing held that same day, Hill informed the court that he had read and signed the plea agreement.
Outcome:
The District Court sentenced Hill on September 6, 2023, to ten years with the Department of Public Health and Human Services, with a stipulated credit of 688 days.
Affirmed
Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Montana v. Thomas Jerry Hill?
The outcome was: The District Court sentenced Hill on September 6, 2023, to ten years with the Department of Public Health and Human Services, with a stipulated credit of 688 days. Affirmed
Which court heard State of Montana v. Thomas Jerry Hill?
This case was heard in District Court, Missoula County, Montana, MT. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in State of Montana v. Thomas Jerry Hill?
Plaintiff's attorney: Matt Jennings. Defendant's attorney: Jim Siegman.
When was State of Montana v. Thomas Jerry Hill decided?
This case was decided on April 21, 2026.