Montana Judge Suspended Over Rape Comments

A Montana judge has been suspended by the state's Supreme Court for controversial comments he made about a 14-year-old rape victim.

District Judge Todd Baugh sparked outrage last year when he ordered a former high school teacher to serve just 30 days of a 15-year sentence for raping a teenager in 2007.

At sentencing, Baugh also appeared to pin blame on the victim, who he said was "probably as much in control of the situation as the defendant" and "appeared older than her chronological age".

The comments and lenient sentence led to protests and calls for Baugh's suspension.

The Billings judge later admitted he made a mistake and should be censured, but not removed from the bench.

On Tuesday, Baugh appeared before the Montana Supreme Court, where justices handed down a 31-day suspension, effective in December.

Chief Justice Mike McGrath told Baugh that his actions and comments eroded the public's confidence in the court system.

Baugh, 72, refused to speak to reporters as he left the court in Helena.

In April, the Montana Supreme Court threw out Baugh's sentence for Stacey Rambold, the ex-teacher who pleaded guilty to having nonconsensual sexual intercourse with Cherice Moralez.

A new sentencing hearing is scheduled for September, when prosecutors hope to win a longer jail term.

Cherice committed suicide in 2010 before Rambold went to trial.

While awaiting censure, Baugh made headlines again in June when he suggested that a convicted 21-year-old vandal who worked at a fast food restaurant should "get a better job" to pay for the damages.