On November 2, 2025, two lives were stolen in Hanska, MN by an act of domestic violence that leaves two families, four children, and several communities grieving. The perpetrator has a thirteen year history in the courts as a domestic abuser, including several violent acts, even stalking his victims, for which he broke the restraining order several times with no penalty- thanks to Judge Docherty. Now, after two extensions, a plea deal has been offered against both families wishes. Not only do they grapple with insurmountable grief, but now the hope of justice for Tabitha and Justin have been dashed. The deal offered is two counts of murder in the first degree, which carries a life sentence (30 years) WITH the possibility of parole. This not only dismisses the other several charges, but potentially releases this monster back into the community, to do it again, as his track record has shown. 

Judge Docherty has been appointed in this case. This is the same judge who did not punish the perpetrator for breaking the restraining order (that Tabitha and Justin had filed against him) more than two times. He knew that this perpetrator regularly stalked and threatened his victims before deciding to murder them, two days before his hearing for the stalking charges (court date November 4, filed in July 2025). Now, brown county prosecutors tell Tabitha’s family “nobody had a crystal ball to predict this”, and that they need to “agree to disagree” regarding the fact this Judge also is capable of making an unbiased ruling in the murder trial. Additionally, it has been uncovered that a preexisting relationship between the defendant and Judge Docherty exists, and could have added to his lax rulings in prior cases. Court records show the judge to have presided as defense attorney for the accused for two prior charges: a DWI and an assault charge from 2002, and 2003. This fact alone indicates grounds for the judge to recuse himself, raising substantial questions regarding Docherty’s impartiality. Additionally, the sheriff himself stated that he had been socializing with the perpetrator no more than 24 hours prior to the murder, as the two have been acquainted since childhood. 

 Please join in signing this petition to urge brown county to change the court venue due to several conflict of interest concerns, so that this murderer can be kept behind bars where he belongs. He stole the sunlight from Tabitha and Justin. He doesn’t deserve to see it ever again.