Montana Supreme Court overturns teacher’s 1-month sentence for raping student

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.

In an opinion published this morning by Justice Michael Wheat, the Court reversed the sentence on the grounds the 31-day sentence last August because it was an illegal one. The court also wrote based on certain statutes the minimum sentence that should have been given was two years. The opinion also states a new judge must re-sentence Rambold. Yellowstone prosecutors have argued for a 10-year sentence.

In August, Judge G. Todd Baugh sentenced Rambold to 31 days in prison for the rape of a 14-year-old student at Billings Senior High. Judge Baugh made comments saying the victim was “older than her chronological age” and that sparked outrage across the nation, with many calling for Baugh’s removal from the bench.

Agencies/Canadajournal