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Review panel wants Billings judge disciplined

BILLINGS (AP) — A judicial oversight board wants a Montana judge disciplined for saying a 14-year-old rape victim was "older than her chronological age" and sentencing her rapist to just one month in prison.

The Montana Judicial Standards Commission filed a formal complaint Monday with the state Supreme Court against District Judge G. Todd Baugh (baw) in Billings. The complaint was released Tuesday.

It says the 72-year-old Baugh eroded public confidence in the courts with his statements and the "overly lenient" prison sentence given to rapist and former teacher Stacey Rambold.

The complaint doesn't specify what disciplinary action should be taken. A commission attorney says that's expected at a later date.

Baugh has apologized for his handling of the case and says he'll retire at the end of the year.

 

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