Martin hands down tougher rape conviction sentences

Two men originally given 60 days in jail for the statutory rape of an intoxicated 13-year-old were sentenced to prison this morning.

Judge Paula Martin was ordered by the Kansas Court of Appeals to hand down new sentences to Brian K. Ussery, Tonganoxie, and William N. Haney, Lawrence.

She ordered Ussery to serve 65 months in prison and Haney to serve 82 months.

Martin sparked controversy last year by granting the men probation, community service and 60 days in jail for the June 2003 incident. It was a departure from state sentencing guidelines, which normally carry a penalty of nearly 13 years for rape, and earlier this year the appeals court found it was too lenient.