Montana Court Judge G. Todd Baugh set off a firestorm of protests after he sentenced a schoolteacher to 30 days in prison for raping a 14-year-old student who later committed suicide.
According to Baugh, the victim acted "older than her chronological age" and was "as much in control of the situation" as the man who pleaded guilty, reports the New York Times. After national outrage, the judge apologized, admitting that his remarks were demeaning to women.
He also announced his intention to reconsider the sentence at a hearing on Friday, explaining that he now understands that the conviction carried a minimum of 2 years in jail, not 30 days. However, lawyers on both sides protested that the judge lacked the authority to correct a sentencing error. As a result, the Montana Supreme Court stepped in on Friday and blocked the resentencing.
Despite the fact that the hearing was called off, Judge Baugh still entered the courtroom to face off with television cameras and victims' advocates, and said that he would try "to answer some questions that you might have."
After reciting the lengthy legal history of the case, Judge Baugh said the dispute over the sentence he had issued would now be moving on to the Montana Supreme Court, and out of his hands.
"The appeal process will proceed forward, the Supreme Court will review the matter, and they will issue whatever orders they think are appropriate at that point in time," Baugh explained as to what will happen now.
"That's about all I got to say," he said, reports CNN. "Thank you very much, we're adjourned."
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