Case ID: mont_256/html/0068-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "JUDGE MARK SULLIVAN DISSENTS:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. MARK BLAINE McGUIRE, Defendant.
    NO. 1240B
    DECISION
    DATED this 23rd day of October, 1992.
   On May 2, 1991, the Defendant was sentenced to twenty (20) years for Burglary and Theft.

On October 23, 1992, the Defendant’s application for review of that sentence was heard by the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court.

The Defendant was present and was represented by Colleen Collier, Legal Intern from the Montana Defender Project. The state was not represented.

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 if such is possible. 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.

After careful consideration, there is a split decision of the Sentence Review Board. Judges Boyd and McKittrick vote to affirm the sentence as originally imposed.

The reason for the decision is the sentence imposed by the District Court is presumed correct pursuant to Section 46-18-904(3), MCA. The Division finds that the reasons advanced for modification are insufficient to deem inadequate or excessive as required to overcome the presumption per Rule 17 of the Rules of the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court.

Hon. Thomas M. McKittrick, Acting Chairman, Hon. Robert J. Boyd, Judges.

JUDGE MARK SULLIVAN DISSENTS:

He would vote to reduce the sentence to conform with Judge Sherlock’s sentencing in the other companion type cases; the defendant had no prior felony criminal history; and the youthfulness of the defendant.

The Sentence Review Board wishes to thank Colleen Collier, Legal Intern from the Montana Defender Project for her assistance to the defendant and to this Court.