Kittson County (trfnews.i234.me): Hearing Over Kennedy Woman’s Mental Health Records in Murder Case
The release of a Kennedy woman’s mental health records was at the center of a Kittson County District Court hearing on Wednesday, September 3, in a murder case involving the death of Justin Esparza of Hallock, Minnesota.
Jordan Carol Hanson, 23, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the March 13 death of Esparza.
One count alleges she caused his death without premeditation, while the other claims she caused his death while committing second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
Hanson remains jailed at the Pennington County Jail on behalf of Kittson County.
According to court documents, Esparza, 43, was found dead inside his Hallock home on March 13 with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
A handgun was found near his body, and investigators observed significant blood at the scene.
Family members reported the incident to authorities after Hanson allegedly told them she had shot Esparza.
A witness later confirmed seeing Hanson fire the weapon.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Hanson’s attorneys requested access to her mental health records held by Kittson County Social Services.
Defense attorney Scott Collins stated that Hanson had signed a release allowing access and that the department had prepared the necessary documentation; however, the defense was seeking a waiver of copy fees.
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office expressed concern over whether the prosecution should have access to the same records.
Assistant Attorney General Dan Vlieger stated that mental health records are protected and that the state would not be entitled to them unless specifically requested by the defense.
Judge Tamara Yon took the matter under advisement and said a decision would be issued soon.
As of now, no trial date has been set.
The complaint details a chaotic sequence of calls made by Hanson’s family to the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office around 1:27 p.m. on March 13.
Her mother and sister both reported that Hanson had allegedly shot Esparza.
Deputies and Hallock police arrived at Esparza’s home shortly after, where they found him deceased.
When officers later located Hanson at her mother’s home, she appeared disoriented and made incoherent statements.
Family members told law enforcement that she had been “completely delusional from drug use.”
Hanson allegedly said she was under arrest “because she shot the chief deputy” and apologized, though her comments made little sense to investigators.
The case remains under active investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Jordan Carol Hanson