Montana Supreme Court Overrules 1-Month Sentence For Teacher Who Raped 14-Year-Old Student...
So, at last there are some hopeful developments in this ugly story from last fall. A high school teacher who raped his 14-year-old student and then received a 1-month sentence AFTER violating the terms of his probation and AFTER the girl committed suicide, is having that disgustingly-lenient sentence reexamined by a new judge. And the judge is facing disciplinary action.
Last fall a Montana judge made national news when he handed down an outrageously low 30-day sentence for a Montana teacher convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl, who then went on to commit suicide.
"Outrage is growing against a Billings, Montana, judge who handed down a 30-day sentence to a rapist teacher and said the victim, who had killed herself, "was as much in control of the situation" as the teacher-35 years her senior at the time-because she was “older than her chronological age.” Prosecutors had sought a 20-year sentence in the case, with 10 years suspended. District Judge G. Todd Baugh imposed a 15-year sentence and suspended all but 31 days of it, with one day credited for time already served. The judge noted that the crime "did not warrant a lengthy sentence."
Today, the Montana Supreme Court overturned the ruling and a more just sentence appears to be on the way:
"The Montana Supreme Court has overturned a one-month prison sentence given to a former high school teacher convicted of raping a 14-year-old student.
Wednesday's decision cited in part the actions of District Judge G. Todd Baugh (baw) of Billings, who suggested the young victim shared responsibility for her rape because she had some control over the situation.
Justices said a new judge must re-sentence defendant Stacey Dean Rambold."
In February, a judicial review board recommended disciplinary action against Judge G. Todd Baugh, but that action is still pending.
Source.
OP's Note: Let's hope BOTH of these scumbags (the rapist and his enabler judge) get some real justice.
Last fall a Montana judge made national news when he handed down an outrageously low 30-day sentence for a Montana teacher convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl, who then went on to commit suicide.
"Outrage is growing against a Billings, Montana, judge who handed down a 30-day sentence to a rapist teacher and said the victim, who had killed herself, "was as much in control of the situation" as the teacher-35 years her senior at the time-because she was “older than her chronological age.” Prosecutors had sought a 20-year sentence in the case, with 10 years suspended. District Judge G. Todd Baugh imposed a 15-year sentence and suspended all but 31 days of it, with one day credited for time already served. The judge noted that the crime "did not warrant a lengthy sentence."
Today, the Montana Supreme Court overturned the ruling and a more just sentence appears to be on the way:
"The Montana Supreme Court has overturned a one-month prison sentence given to a former high school teacher convicted of raping a 14-year-old student.
Wednesday's decision cited in part the actions of District Judge G. Todd Baugh (baw) of Billings, who suggested the young victim shared responsibility for her rape because she had some control over the situation.
Justices said a new judge must re-sentence defendant Stacey Dean Rambold."
In February, a judicial review board recommended disciplinary action against Judge G. Todd Baugh, but that action is still pending.
Source.
OP's Note: Let's hope BOTH of these scumbags (the rapist and his enabler judge) get some real justice.