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Law
Supreme Court OKs review of Indian man's sentence


In light of its recent decision that altered the federal sentencing guidelines, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ordered a review of an Indian man's sentence for sexual abuse.

After a jury trial, Timothy Red Elk was found guilty of abusing two girls under the age of 16. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, a punishment on the high end of the federal guidelines for the crime at issue.

But since the judge based the sentence on facts not found by a jury, including the finding that Red Elk committed perjury on the stand, the punishment may or may not be acceptable under the Supreme Court's decision of January 12. In the Booker-Fanfan case, a majority of the justices said such a practice violates the constitution.

At the same time, another majority said federal judges have the discretion to depart from the guidelines, subject to a "reasonable" standard that can be reviewed on appeal.

Red Elk's case was sent back to the 8th Circuit, which covers tribes in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. It was one of more than 400 criminal cases handled by the Supreme Court yesterday.

Get the Story:
Justices Order Review Of 400-Plus Sentences (The Washington Post 1/25)
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Timothy Red Elk Decision:
US v. Red Elk (May 28, 2004)

Supreme Court Sentencing Opinion:
Syllabus | Opinion I [Stevens] | Opinion II [Breyer] | Dissent [Stevens] | Dissent [Scalia] | Dissent [Thomas] | Dissent [Breyer]

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