State v. Ambrose

OPINION

BRYNER, Chief Judge.

In this appeal, the state challenges an order of the superior court releasing Lige Ambrose, a sentenced prisoner, for a period of four days to attend a ceremonial pot-latch. The appeal requires us to determine the scope of the superior court’s authority under Alaska Criminal Rule 35(b), which allows the court to modify a sentence in light of changed circumstances. We conclude that the superior court lacked authority to order Ambrose’s release.

Lige Ambrose was convicted of assault in the third degree. On November 7,1986, Acting Superior Court Judge Christopher E.…