A former Montana professor was set free on Thursday, Sept 26, after spending 30 days in prison, according to local media.
Stacey Rambold, 54 years old, left the Montana state prison in Deer Lodge, after finishing the sentence imposed by District Judge Todd Baugh of Billings, for the 2007 rape of a 14-year-old student who committed suicide in 2010, shortly before turning 17, reported Terra.
The 30-day sentence issued last month provoked indignation throughout the state. The sentence was considered it to be too lenient. Judge Baugh was also criticized for making comments that seemed to blame the victim, Cherice Moralez, comments for which the judge apologized for later.
According to informative website 20 Minutos, Judge Baugh declared that the abused woman looked older than her age and that she had as much control during the rape as the rapist.
"I made some really stupid comments. I owe the county, and even the whole country, an apology, especially to women, I'm sorry", said Baugh shortly after.
At the moment, the case is being reviewed by the State Supreme Court, after prosecutors appealed the case on the grounds that Mr Rambold should have received a sentence of at least 5 years in prison. However, if no other crimes are confirmed, the former high school teacher will remain free until the appeal is resolved, informed Terra.
Moreover, the news chain reported that human rights activists presented to the tribunal a complaint demanding punishment for Judge Baugh. The complaint was signed by almost 140,000 people.
According to Cherice Moralez' mother, the teenager's suicide in 2010, 3 years after being raped and before Stacey Rambold was sentenced, was directly caused by Rambold's actions, reported CBS News.
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