The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday heard the appeal of an Indian man who says his sentence for sexual abuse of a minor is too harsh.

Gerald Yazzie, of New Mexico, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child and was sentenced to 11 years and three months. He says the judge should not have added time to the sentence because the abused child was in his care.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month ruled that judges cannot impose sentences based on facts not admitted by the defendant or found by a jury. The decision is having an impact on Indian criminal defendants throughout the country.

Get the Story:
Tenth Circuit Court opens session at OU (AP 3/8)

Related Stories:
Supreme Court OKs review of Indian man's sentence (01/25)
Supreme Court alters federal criminal sentencing (01/13)