Court Opinion

ID: 8027924
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 02:51:45.476177+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:36:52.645770
License: Public Domain

On January 17, 1986, the Defendant was sentenced to Count I, Life Sentence, Deliberate Homicide plus ten (10) years for the use of a weapon; Count II, Life Sentence, Deliberate Homicide plus ten (10) years for the use of a weapon; Count III, Life Sentence, Deliberate Homicide plus ten (10) years for the use of a weapon; Count IV, ten (10) years for Burglary; all above sentences shall be served consecutively. The defendant shall be designated a dangerous offender and must serve thirty (30) years on each life sentence, less good time allowance provided for in Section 53-30-105, MCA. The defendant is declared ineligible for parole and participation in the supervised released program.
On July 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 Michael Donahoe, Attorney from Helena, Montana. The state was represented by Stephen Hagerman, Deputy County Attorney, from Great Falls, Montana.
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, it is the unanimous decision of the Sentence Review Division that the sentence shall remain the same 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. Ed McLean, Chairman, Hon. Frank M. Davis, Acting Member, Hon. G. Todd Baugh, Judges.
The Sentence Review Board wishes to thank Michael Donahoe, Attorney at Law from Helena for his assistance to the defendant and to this Court. We also wish to thank Stephen Hagerman, Deputy County Attorney from Great Falls for representing the state.