LITTLE ROCK — U.S. probation officers have recommended a life sentence and more than $1.7 million in restitution as punishment for Randeep Mann, a Russellville doctor who was convicted in August of orchestrating a 2009 bombing outside the West Memphis home of the Arkansas State Medical Board chairman.
That information was contained in a motion filed Tuesday in which defense attorney Blake Hendrix of Little Rock seeks a postponement of a Dec. 10 sentencing hearing for Mann.
Meanwhile, attorneys for Mann’s wife, Sangeeta “Sue” Mann, who was convicted of obstructing an investigation into the bombing, filed a motion - which was immediately granted - to extend the deadline for responding to a first draft of her presentence report. The filing doesn’t indicate what sentence range the report, prepared by probation officers, recommends for Sangeeta Mann. Her sentencing remains scheduled for Dec. 8.
Hendrix, who is Randeep Mann’s lead attorney, noted in his request that he received a first draft of the presentence report on Oct. 28 and said he needs more time to adequately prepare objections.
Citing its recommendations for the sentence that will be imposed by U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller, Hendrix wrote, “In order to prepare objections to these conclusions, it is necessary to fully research each guideline provision, some of which are new and novel, and to obtain and review all documentation used to support the reports’ restitution amount to determine its accuracy.”
Federal sentencing guidelines, intended to ensure uniform sentences for crimes with similar circumstances across the country, take into account myriad factors in suggesting a penalty range, which judges don’t have to follow. The factors consider the offender’s background and specific details of the crime; however, the pre-sentence reports are sealed from public view.
Hendrix also noted that the sentencing date conflicts with another trial beginning Dec. 7in which he will be participating. Prosecutors don’t object to the postponement, he said.
The bombing blinded Dr. Trent Pierce, then 54, in one eye and left him with other serious injuries, although he has returned to his duties as chairman of the State Medical Board. At the time of the bombing, the board was beginning a new investigation of Mann over his dispensing of narcotics that had the potential to strip him of his medical license forever.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 11/10/2010