Attorney Says Appeal ‘Frivolous’ In Notorious Student Rape

The attorney for a Montana teacher sentenced to 10 years in prison in a notorious student rape case says her client's appeal is frivolous, an unusual move that could end the long-running matter.

Assistant Appellate Defender Eileen Larkin on Thursday asked the state Supreme Court to let her drop the case of Stacey Dean Rambold.

The request comes almost a decade after the Billings Senior High School teacher raped a 14-year-old student who later committed suicide.

Rambold initially was sentenced to just one month in prison, drawing public outrage and prompting the censure of a judge who suggested the victim shared blame for her rape.

Supreme Court Clerk Ed Smith says Rambold likely would get a chance to respond before the court could dismiss the case.