Court Opinion

ID: 8209693
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-27 20:06:22.253292+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:41:43.684255
License: Public Domain

ORIGINAL                                              09/27/2022

            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA                               Case Number: OP 22-0489

                                        OP 22-0489
                                                                        kiLLJ
TYRONE LEE RISHER,                                                    SEP 2 7 2022
                                                                    Bowen Greenwood
              Petitioner,                                         Clerk of Supreme Court
                                                                     State of Montana

       v.                                                           ORDER

JAMES SALMONSEN, Warden,

              Respondents.

       Tyrone Lee Risher has filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, indicating illegal
incarceration while being held in the Montana State Prison (MSP). Risher provides that he
escaped from the Butte Pre-Release Center. He states that, following a February 21, 2022
arrest warrant, the Powell County Justice Court issued an order, releasing him on his own
recognizance. He further states that he was not arrested on the warrant until April 29, 2022,
and that he was held in the Butte-Silver Bow County Jail "until August 2nd 2022 under an
un-specified, un-dated Montana D.O.C. Warrant to Arrest . . . ." Risher adds that he had a
parole violation, pursuant to § 46-23-1023, MCA, and that after 95 days, he was sent to
MSP. Risher concludes that he should be released from prison because his case for escape
has not finished and his due process rights have been violated.
       We requested and reviewed the register of actions for Risher's pending case in
Powell County District Court. In June 2022, the State brought the charge of felony escape
after charged with a felony, pursuant to § 45-7-306(3)(b), MCA. Risher had his initial
appearance on June 14, 2022, and he has counsel to represent him. His criminal case is
still pending in the Powell County District Court.
       Risher was serving three other sentences when he committed his new offense. See
Risher v. Olson and State of Montana, No. OP 21-0524, Order granting habeas corpus
relief in part to correct the running of his sentences (Mont. Jan. 11, 2022). Risher states
that he violated parole, pursuant to § 46-23-1023, MCA. His rights as a parolee are defined
in Montana statutes. Risher had a non-compliance violation with a new criminal offense,
and he may be held in custody regardless of what another court stated in a release order.
See §§ 46-23-1001(3)(a), and 46-23-1023(3), MCA. "[U]pon any charge of violation the
parolee may, if circumstances warrant, be incarcerated in the institution." Section 46-23-
1023(3), MCA. After his arrest, Risher was not entitled to an initial hearing regarding
probable cause for a parole revocation because he "has been charged in any court with a
violation of the law[1" Section 46-23-1024(1)(b), MCA. Risher may be held without
bond. Section 46-23-1024(6), MCA. Risher's due process rights have not been violated.
       Habeas corpus affords an applicant an opportunity to challenge collaterally the
legality of his present incarceration.    Section 46-22-101(1), MCA.       Risher has not
demonstrated illegal incarceration, and his restraint at MSP is valid. Therefore,
       IT IS ORDERED that Risher's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is DENIED and
DISMISSED.
       The Clerk of the Supreme Court is directed to provide a copy of this Order to: the
Honorable Ray Dayton, Third Judicial District Court; Jill Paull, Clerk of District Court,
under Cause No. DC-22-58; Patrick J. Moody, Special Deputy Powell County Attorney;
Joseph C. Connors, Jr., Defense Counsel; counsel of record, and Tyrone Lee Risher
personally.
       DATED this          day of September, 2022.

                                                               Chief Justice
    9d AI JUL.

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