Battey was nominated to be a United States district judge of the
United States District Court for the District of South Dakota by
Ronald Reagan on September 27, 1985. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on October 25, 1985, and received his commission on October 28, 1985. He served as chief judge from 1994 to 1998. He assumed
senior status on January 1, 1999, serving in that status until his death. Larson was convicted of two felonies and two misdemeanors, charges which some considered politically motivated. Battey sentenced Larson to two years in federal prison. In 2015, South Dakota lawmakers petitioned
Barack Obama for a formal full pardon of Larson. Battey is portrayed in a negative light for his handling of Sue Dinosaur Case in the
Sundance Film Festival Documentary
Dinosaur 13.
Notable law clerks Among Battey's notable
judicial law clerks were
David Lust and
Marty Jackley. ==Death==