Court Opinion

ID: 8030946
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 03:11:04.698777+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:36:58.515518
License: Public Domain

On June 17,2014, the Defendant was sentenced for Attempted Deliberate Homicide, a felony, as specified in §45-4-103 and 45-5-102(1)(a), MCA, to a term of twenty-five (25) years in the Montana State Prison, with ten (10) years suspended. The Court recommends to the Department that the Defendant be given every opportunity to participate in drug treatment programs.
On November 7,2014, the Defendants Application for review of that sentence was heard by the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court (hereafter “the Division").
The Defendant appeared via videoconference and was represented by Ed Sheehy, Jr., Montana Office of Public Defender. The State was not represented.
Before hearing the Application, the Defendant was advised that the Division has the authority not only to reduce the sentence or affirm it, but also increase it. The Defendant was further advised that there is no appeal from a decision of the Division. The Defendant acknowledged that he understood this and stated that he wished to proceed.
Ride 12, Rules of the Sentence Review Division of the Supreme Court of Montana, provides that, “The sentence imposed by the District Court is presumed correct. The sentence shall not be reduced or increased unless it is clearly inadequate or clearly excessive.” (Section 46-18-904(3), MCA).
The Division finds that the reasons advanced for modification are insufficient to hold that the sentence imposed by the District Court is clearly inadequate or clearly excessive.
Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the Division that the sentence shall be AFFIRMED.
Done in open Court this 7th day of November, 2014.
Chairperson, Hon. Brad Newman, Member Hon. Kathy Seeley and Member Hon. Brenda Gilbert.