STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. NINA WESTCOTT, Defendant, 304 Mont. 23

On March 22, 1996, the defendant was sentenced to the following: Counts I - VII: ten (10) years in the Montana Women's Prison, on each count. The sentences imposed in Counts I, II and III shall run consecutively with each other, but the sentences imposed in Counts TV through VII shall run concurrently with each other and concurrently with the sentence imposed in Count III. The sentences on Counts II through VII are suspended. On April 14, 2000, 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 Colleen Ambrose. The state was not represented. 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 she understood this and stated that she wished to proceed.

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." 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. Chairman, Hon. Marge,Johnson, Member, Hon. David Cybulski, Alt. Member, Hon.

Robert Boyd.