Court Opinion

ID: 9377512
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-03-08 00:04:19.133548+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:14.675346
License: Public Domain

ORIGINAL                                            03/07/2023

            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
                                                                                        Case Number: DA 23-0147

                                        DA 23-0147

                                                                             MAR 0 7 P23
 STATE OF MONTANA,                                                         Bovvr, n Greenv..r:."1
                                                                         Clerk of Supreme Court
                                                                            State of Montane
              Plaintiff and Appellee,

       v.                                                            ORDER

ALEXANDER GARRETT LAFORGE III,

             Defendant and Appellant.

       Alexander Garrett LaForge III petitions this Court for an out-of-time appeal,
indicating that he discussed filing a timely appeal with his attorney but that his attorney
failed to file it for him. He states that he has "been trying to get a hold of [his] court[-]
appointed attorney . . . since [his] sentencing in May of 2022. He adds that his appeal has
not been filed as of January 29, 2023. LaForge includes a copy of the court's Judgment.
       M. R. App. P. 4(6) allows this Court to grant an out-of-time appeal "[i]n the
infrequent harsh case and under extraordinary circumstances amounting to a gross
miscarriage of justice[.]"
       In open court on May 23, 2022, LaForge appeared with counsel in the Yellowstone
County District Court for sentencing. The District Court imposed a 110-year sentence to
the Montana State Prison for convictions of deliberate homicide (with weapons
enhancement) and use of a weapon.
       This Court observes that LaForge has provided a verified petition but that the
document does not seem to be served upon opposing counsel. M. R. App. P. 10(1)(c).
       We conclude that LaForge is entitled to an appeal. LaForge has recent convictions
and sentences. He may be entitled to representation of counsel in this appeal. Section
46-8-104, MCA. Therefore,
       IT IS ORDERED that LaForge's Petition for an Out-of-Time Appeal is GRANTED.
       IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Appellate Defender Division is APPOINTED
to represent Alexander Garrett LaForge III. The Appellate Defender Division shall have
thirty days from the date of this Order within which either to file a Notice of Appeal or a
Motion to Rescind this Order Appointing Counsel. When LaForge qualifies for appointed
counsel, the Appellate Defender Division shall immediately order the appropriate
transcripts, if they have not been already ordered.
       The Clerk of the Supreme Court is directed to provide a copy of this Order to the
Appellate Defender Division, to counsel of record along with a copy of LaForge's Petition
for an Out-of-Time Appeal, and to Alexander Garrett LaForge III personally.
       DATED this - 2.- 'day of March, 2023.

                                                              Chief Justice

                                                                 f 2^

                                                                Justices