BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana Supreme Court overturned Wednesday the one-month prison sentence against a teacher rapist that drew a firestorm of criticism last summer.
Stacey Dean Rambold was a 47-year-old business teacher at Billings Senior High School at the time of the 2007 rape. His victim, who was 14 at the time of the attack, killed herself three years later.
Rambold was released after fulfilling the original sentence last fall, and is expected to remain free pending his reappearance in state District Court.
Wednesday's unanimous decision means Rambold must serve a minimum of two years in prison under state law, Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said.
The high court cited in part the actions of District Judge G. Todd Baugh, of Billings, who caused outrage by suggesting that the victim shared responsibility for her rape and had some control over the situation.
Attorney General Tim Fox said the Supreme Court's actions had "rebuffed attempts to place blame on a child victim of this horrible crime."
Rambold's attorneys had insisted in court filings that the original sentence was appropriate, and cited a "lynch mob" mentality following the huge public outcry over the case.
Like Baugh, they suggested the girl bore some responsibility for the rape, and referenced videotaped interviews with her before she committed suicide. Those interviews remain under seal by the court.
Under Montana state law, children younger than 16 cannot consent to sexual intercourse.
Rambold attorney Jay Lansing was traveling and not immediately available, his office said.
During last year's sentencing hearing, prosecutors sought a 20-year prison term for Rambold with 10 years suspended.
But Baugh followed Lansing's recommendations and handed down a sentence of 15 years with all but 31 days suspended and a one-day credit for time served.
After his release, he was required to register as a sex offender and was to remain on probation through 2028.
The Supreme Court did not specify what sentence would be more appropriate. That means Rambold potentially could face even more time in prison than the mandatory minimum.
Twito said he would consult with attorneys in his office and the victim's family before deciding how much prison time prosecutors will seek. It will be a minimum of 30 days before the case is re-assigned and brought before a new judge, he said.
The judge sparked outrage when he commented that victim Cherice Moralez was "older than her chronological age."
Her death took away the prosecution's main witness and resulted in a deferred-prosecution agreement that required Ramobld to attend a sex-offender treatment program.
When he was booted from that program — for not disclosing a sexual relationship with an adult woman and having an unauthorized visit with the children of his relatives — the charge were reinstated.
When Rambold went before Baugh in August, the judge appeared to show sympathy for the defendant and agreed with Lansing's sentencing recommendation.
A disciplinary complaint against Baugh from the Judicial Standards Commission is pending with the state Supreme Court.
Justices said that will be dealt with separately. But their sharp criticism of the judge's actions could be a signal that some kind of punishment is likely.
"Judge Baugh's statements reflected an improper basis for his decision and cast serious doubt on the appearance of justice," Justice Michael Wheat wrote. "There is no basis in the law for the court's distinction between the victim's "chronological age" and the court's perception of her maturity."
Baugh could not be reached immediately for comment.
Judicial Standards Commission has asked the Supreme Court to censure Baugh for imposing an unlawful sentence and blaming the child victim. Baugh, 72, who was first elected in 1984, has apologized for comments that he said undermined confidence in the court system.
He has said he deserves a public reprimand or censure and plans to retire when his six-year term expires at the end of the year.
Based on reporting by The Associated Press.
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