Case ID: mont_298/html/0095-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "The Honorable Jeffrey H. Langton", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

FROM: The District Court of the 13th Judicial District. County of Big Horn.
    STATE OF MONTANA Plaintiff, vs. Jonathan W. Vandersloot, Defendant.
    NO. DC-97-44 DECISION
   On June 11, 1999, the defendant was sentenced to twenty (20) years in the Montana State Prison.

On November 4, 1999, the defendant’s application for review of that sentence was considered by the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court.

The defendant was present and was represented by James Vogel. The state was represented by Christine Cooke.

Before hearing the application, the defendant was advised that the Sentence Review Division has the authority not only to reduce the sentence or affirm it, but also to increase it. The defendant was further advised that there is no appeal from a decision of the Sentence Review Division. The defendant acknowledged that he understood this and stated that he wished to proceed.

Rule 17 of the Rules of the Sentence Review Division provides: “The sentence imposed by the District Court is presumed correct, and the sentence will not be reduced or increased unless it is deemed clearly inadequate or excessive.” (Section 45-18-904(3), MCA.) The Division finds that the reasons advanced for modification are insufficient to hold that the sentence imposed by the District Court is inadequate or excessive.

After careful consideration, it is the majority decision of the Sentence Review Division that the sentence shall be affirmed.

Done in open Court this 4th day of November, 1999.

DATED this 6th day of December, 1999.

Chairman, Hon. Richard G. Phillips and Alt. Member, Hon. Robert Boyd

The Honorable Jeffrey H. Langton

dissents.

It is Judge Langton’s opinion that the sentence should be affirmed with the addition of the mandatory weapons enhancement, which is applicable by the preponderance of the evidence, even though the defendant was acquitted of the charge of aggravated burglary. Judge Langton would add two to ten years to the defendant’s current sentence.

Member, Hon. Jeffrey H. Langton