Contested hearing to be held in Hallock death case

An in-person contested omnibus hearing has been scheduled in the case of a shooting death in Hallock last year. Attorneys in the case against Jordan Hanson, who is accused of shooting Justin Esparza in March 2025, agreed on the need for this hearing due to an alleged Miranda Rights violation.
In an electronic hearing Thursday, April 23, Hanson appeared from the Pennington County Jail in Thief River Falls. Her attorney Alexander Reichert and Assistant Attorney General Daniel Vlieger each appeared remotely as well.
“I see today a motion was filed with regard to an omnibus matter, specifically a motion seeking to suppress or dismiss evidence on an alleged Miranda violation,” said Judge Tamara Yon.
Reichert said he felt this issue will require in-person witness testimony.
Vlieger agreed, noting he would likely call two or three witnesses, and he would need to speak with each witness prior to the in-person hearing. He added that the Mirandized interview was recorded, and lasted about 40 minutes. He suggested a couple of hours for the hearing.
The court settled on a tentative date for the hearing of Thursday, May 28 at 10 a.m. This could change, depending on witnesses’ schedules.
Vlieger requested that the hearing be available via Zoom so people who can’t make the drive can still listen in. Yon granted that request and said there will be a Zoom link available.
Vlieger also requested the transcript and recording of Hanson’s statement in this case be sealed, so it’s not available to the general public. Yon also granted this request.
The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 10 a.m. at the Kittson County Courthouse in Hallock.