Judge G. Todd Baugh is now saying that his original sentence of a former Billings high school teacher who raped a 14 year-old girl might be illegal. According to the Billings Gazette a new hearing has been ordered by Yellowstone County District Court Judge G. Todd Baugh to assess the legality of his original sentence. Judge G. Todd Baugh is now saying that after some research the minimum sentence required could actually be two years in jail. The judge has set a new hearing date of Friday at 1:30 p.m. to examine whether or not the sentence of 30 days in jail needs to be amended.

Judge G. Todd Baugh's original sentence of 30 days in jail was seen by the public as an overly lenient sentencing that lead to protests in downtown Billings and the call for his formal resignation.

The Billings Gazette quoted Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito as saying that the new order by the judge was an "unusual occurrence". Although unusual, the Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito does plan to be prepared and ready for the Friday hearing.

The state will review the issue and we will be prepared to be in court on Friday. - Scott Twito

Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito has been consulting with the Montana Attorney General's office on whether or not to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

VIA: Billings Gazette