
    STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. JAMES E. SCHLENDER, Defendant.
    No. DC-03-4
    Decision
   On October 7, 2003, the defendant was sentenced to Sixty-Four (64) years in the Montana State Prison with Thirty-Four (34) years suspended, with credit for 230 days served and fined an amount of $35,000, for the offense of Incest, a felony.

On April 2,2004, 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 advised of his right to be represented by counsel. The defendant proceeded pro se. The state was represented by Fred Hofman, who attended via videoconference.

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 increase it. 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.

DATED this 30th day of April, 2004.

Rule 17 of the Rules of the Sentence Review Division of the Supreme Court of Montana provides that “the sentence imposed by the District Court is presumed correct, and the sentence will not be reduced or increased unless it is deemed clearly inadequate or excessive.” (§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 inadequate or excessive.

Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the Sentence Review Division that the sentence shall be affirmed.

Done in open Court this 2nd day of April, 2004.

Chairperson, Hon. Marc G. Buyske, Member, Hon. John W. Whelan and Alt. Member, Hon. Gregory R. Todd.  