30-day rape sentence may be illegal, says Montana judge at center of controversy

(CNN) -- A 30-day rape sentence given to a teacher who admitted to raping his 14-year-old student may be illegal, according to the Montana judge who imposed it.

The judge scheduled a new hearing for Friday.

"The Defendant shall be present at argument as the Court, if necessary and appropriate, will amend the mandatory minimum portion of the sentence," read a court order filed Tuesday.

It appears the mandatory minimum is two years, not 30 days, the order said.

"In this Court's opinion, imposing a sentence which suspends more than the mandatory minimum would be an illegal sentence," it continued.

The case drew widespread attention when District Judge G. Todd Baugh imposed the 30-day sentence on Stacey Dean Rambold and made controversial comments about the victim, saying she "seemed older than her chronological age."  (more...)

30-day rape sentence may be illegal, says Montana judge at center of controversy