Montana AG asks high court to block rape case hearing
BILLINGS, Mont. Montana's attorney general has asked the state Supreme Court to block a judge's attempt to resentence a former Montana teacher convicted of raping a student.
The Attorney General's Office says District Judge G. Todd Baugh lacks the authority to change the 30-day prison sentence he gave to defendant Stacey Rambold.
Baugh's office said late Thursday he intends to proceed with Friday's resentencing.
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- Todd Baugh, Mont. judge, defends handing down 30-day sentence to teacher in rape of student
Baugh has faced intense public criticism over the lenient sentence and for his comments that the 14-year-old victim had as much control over the relationship as Rambold.
The judge has since called his remarks "stupid" and said the sentence might have been illegal.
Prosecutors say that under state law Rambold should serve at least two years.
Rambold's attorney agrees the judge lacks authority to amend the sentence but contends it was appropriate.