Another “pillar of the community” rapist gets virtually no time, this time in Montana:

A Glasgow man was sentenced in Valley County District Court on Oct. 4 for one count of felony incest. With a handful of supporters seated behind him in the courtroom, Martin Blake, 40, appeared before Judge John C. McKeon.

Following two hours of testimony and arguments, Judge McKeon sentenced Blake to 30 years in the Montana prison system, with all 30 years suspended.

Blake will be required to meet a number of conditions, including registering as a sex offender.

…

Moore stated that there is more than one way to hold someone accountable. “I’m not asking that he be given a slap on the wrist,” said Moore. “He did spend 17 days in jail, and he did lose his job.” He also argued that consequences for Blake will be considerable even if he isn’t sent to prison, “For the most part,” Moore said, “he will be on supervision for the rest of his life.” [He was sentenced to thirty days, with credit for the seventeen already served]

In the end, McKeon opted to not follow recommendations set forth in the proposed plea agreement, which would have sent Blake to prison for a minimum of 25 years. When discussing his reasons for suspending the sentence, McKeon referenced the support that Blake had from family, friends, his church and his employer. That support included letters written by the victim’s mother and grandmother asking the court to allow Blake to remain in the community.

Of note, the mother’s letter stated that her two sons should not be deprived of their father. (Apparently raping her twelve-year-old daughter doesn’t count here.)

More at: glasgowcourier.com