Judge In Montana Rape Case Says He Deserves Rebuke

Judge sentenced teacher who raped 14-year old student to only 30 days in prison

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Larry Mayer / Billings Gazette / AP

District Judge Todd Baugh

The Montana judge who made controversial remarks about a teenage rape victim’s age and sexuality while sentencing the teacher who raped said Tuesday that he deserves to be censured but should keep his job.

Judge G. Todd Baugh told the Associated Press that saying the 14-year-old victim was “older than her chronological age” and “just as much in control of the situation” as her admitted rapist violated a judicial code that requires him to promote public confidence in the courts.

“I shouldn’t have said that,” Baugh said. “I don’t contest that appearance of impropriety.”

The teenage rape victim later killed herself, but Baugh sentenced her teacher to only 30 days in prison and he has since been released.

Baugh said he was being recommended for censure in a complaint to the Montana Supreme Court.

[AP]