BILLINGS, Montana (AP) A judge under fire for commenting that a 14-year-old rape victim appeared older than her true age says he deserves to be censured but not removed from the bench for his remarks.
District Judge G. Todd Baugh told The Associated Press on Tuesday that his comments violated judicial rules that require him to promote public confidence in the courts.
Baugh sent former teacher Stacey Rambold to prison in August for just 30 days for the rape of a student who later killed herself. Prosecutors appealed, contending Rambold should have served at least four years.
Baugh says he was told by a member of the state judicial ethics panel that he would be recommended for censure in a complaint to the Montana Supreme Court.