Bill would make it harder to change gender on Indiana IDs
Indiana residents would face more hurdles changing their gender on driver’s licenses or other credentials issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles under changes approved by a House panel.
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Cop whose slurs were recorded quits Hammond police
A white police sergeant who spent 26 years with the Hammond Police Department has resigned while under investigation for homophobic and racist comments made while off duty at a bar. Lt. Steven Kellogg said the officer submitted a retirement letter Thursday, two hours before an interview.
Justice Thomas talks at court arguments, 1st time in 3 years
The Supreme Court was about to adjourn for the day when the Georgia baritone politely inquired of the lawyer at the lectern. Justice Clarence Thomas was breaking a three-year silence at high court arguments with a couple of questions in a case about racial discrimination in the South.
Judge dismisses part of Charlestown lawsuit tied to redevelopment plans
A federal judge has dismissed a portion of a lawsuit brought by landlords that alleged racketeering by Charlestown officials related to a planned redevelopment project.
Plea set in Parke County crash that killed ex-Indiana sheriff, wife
A judge has set a plea hearing for a man accused in a drunken driving crash that killed a former western Indiana sheriff and his wife. Bryan Robertson’s jury trial was scheduled for April 8 on charges of driving while intoxicated causing death, but a Parke County judge set an April 11 change of plea and sentencing hearing Tuesday for Robertson at his attorney’s request.
Hobart ex-funeral home treasurer gets probation for misused funds
A former treasurer of a defunct northwestern Indiana funeral home who allegedly misused funds set aside for customers’ funerals has been placed on probation for a year and ordered to pay more than $15,000 in restitution. Jacqueline A. Kraft, 68, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one felony count of theft and was sentenced to a year in jail, but that sentence was suspended.
Senate panel OKs compensation for the wrongfully convicted
A measure advancing in the Indiana Senate would compensate residents found to have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned.
Supreme Court rules against immigrants in detention case
A divided Supreme Court ruled Tuesday against a group of immigrants in a case about the government’s power to detain them after they’ve committed crimes but finished their sentences.
Justices reject B&B owner who denied room to gay couple
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday left in place Hawaii court rulings that found a bed and breakfast owner violated the state’s anti-discrimination law by refusing to rent a room to a lesbian couple. The justices rejected an appeal from Aloha Bed & Breakfast owner Phyllis Young, who argued she should be allowed to turn away gay couples because of her religious beliefs.
Supreme Court set for case on racial bias in jury selection
Curtis Flowers has been jailed in Mississippi for 22 years, even as prosecutors couldn’t get a murder conviction against him to stick through five trials. This week, the Supreme Court will consider whether his conviction and death sentence in a sixth trial should stand or be overturned for a familiar reason: because prosecutors improperly kept African-Americans off the jury.
Defendants seek dismissal of Richmond wrongful fire death lawsuit
Defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit following a November fire that left two people dead and several others injured in eastern Indiana are asking for the case to be dismissed. Interfaith Housing Corp., Justus Property Management and others responded to the lawsuit over the death of 56-year-old Richard Wilkinson that was filed by his son, arguing the lawsuit doesn’t detail alleged negligence that led to Wilkinson’s death.
Police question authenticity of Indy-based nonprofit’s fundraising
Police departments in at least four states have raised concerns about an Indianapolis-based nonprofit, alleging the group conducts fundraising scams targeting vulnerable people under the guise of raising money for law enforcement. Multiple police agencies have issued scam alerts about letters sent by the National Police Association, which is run by Eddie Hutchison, who works for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office as a fraud investigator.
Lawsuit from ex-St. Mary’s president says she was forced out
The former president of St. Mary’s College who abruptly resigned after two years with the Catholic women’s liberal arts college in northern Indiana has filed a lawsuit alleging she was forced out. The lawsuit says Janice Cervelli resigned last year from the school in South Bend after being pressured to do so by Mary Burke, chair of the Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees.
Indiana moves toward expanding religious objection to abortion
Indiana lawmakers are moving closer to allowing nurses, physician assistants and pharmacists to object on religious or other grounds to having any role in an abortion. The Indiana House voted 69-25 on Thursday in favor of the legislation, which would expand the statute for medical professionals who don’t want to perform an abortion or participate in any procedure that results in an abortion.
Attorneys share discovery in Elkhart woman’s terror case
Prosecutors have said they are still determining which confidential items they can share with attorneys defending an Indiana woman who is accused of providing tactical gear and funds to two Islamic State fighters. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abizer Zanzi said at a status hearing in federal court Thursday that the government has shared discovery that is not confidential with the attorneys for Samantha Elhassani.
Anderson man gets probation in Indiana voter registration fraud case
A central Indiana man has been sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to 30 misdemeanor counts of voter registration fraud stemming from allegations before the 2018 primary election. Datwaon Collier of Anderson entered the pleas Friday in Madison Circuit Court Division 6 in an agreement with Madison County prosecutors.
Police: Suspected Indiana burglar crushed by 900-pound safe
Police in Marion say a suspected burglar was apparently crushed to death when a more than 900-pound antique safe fell over onto him.
California governor signs moratorium on executions
The 737 inmates on the nation’s largest death row got a reprieve from California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday when he signed an executive order placing a moratorium on executions.
In 420-0 vote, House says Mueller report should be public
The United States House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday for a resolution calling for any final report in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation to be made public, a symbolic action designed to pressure Attorney General William Barr into releasing as much information as possible when the probe is concluded.
Indiana legal community remembers Birch Bayh
Former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, a legend in Indiana politics who authored two amendments to the U.S. Constitution, has died at age 91. Bayh died Thursday morning of pneumonia, according to a statement from his family.