Adam Montgomery asks panel of judges to review his sentence

A man convicted of murdering his 5-year-old daughter asks a panel of judges to review his sentence.

Adam Montgomery was sentenced last month to 56 years to life in prison for the murder of his daughter Harmony.

The request comes as Montgomery still faces additional charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, custodial interference and two charges in unrelated weapons cases.

In sentencing Montgomery on May 9, Judge Amy Messer told him he took a person's life in the most cruel and heartless way. She then sentenced Montgomery to 56 years to life in prison.

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Montgomery maintained his innocence and is appealing the conviction and sentence.

Former Hillsborough County Prosecutor Patricia LaFrance of Black, LaFrance and Bollinger, who is not affiliated with the case, said Montgomery's lawyers would likely argue that the sentence was excessive.

“In this case, the defense will most likely attempt to submit evidence that someone received a lesser sentence for the same crime,” LaFrance said.

The review will be carried out by three Superior Court judges who will take into account several factors.

“They are reviewing the file,” LaFrance said. “They read the transcript of the sentencing hearing. Obviously, they heard from the victim's family, and if they held a hearing, the victim's family would be there as well.”

The panel is not required to hold a hearing, but LaFrance said it would be rare if it decided not to.

LaFrance said Montgomery's outstanding charges would not be factors in the sentencing review, but his past convictions would be.

“He has an extensive criminal history, and then they'll say, 'Well, okay, I understand you're submitting evidence that this particular defendant received a lesser sentence for the same crime.'” However, he didn’t have the same criminal history,” LaFrance said.

LaFrance said she anticipated the sentencing review hearing would be postponed until Montgomery completes the appeal process.

Regarding the pending charges, a status hearing is scheduled for June 13.