Indy autopsies by coroner fired in Chicago reviewed
An out-of-state consultant will review the work in Indiana of a part-time forensic pathologist who was fired in Chicago last year after his work was called into question.
Associated Press
Articles
Transgender student seeks injunction in bathrooms lawsuit
A federal judge is weighing whether to grant a preliminary injunction to allow an Evansville transgender student to use male bathrooms.
AG Hill, attorney Bopp start nonprofit legal defense fund
Supporters of embattled Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill have created a nonprofit to raise money for his legal defense amid allegations the Republican drunkenly groped a state lawmaker and three legislative staffers.
Trump returns to ‘Witch Hunt’ tweets against Mueller probe
Capping a week of drama, backtracking and blistering statements from allies about his attitude toward Russian election interference, President Donald Trump on Monday returned to familiar rhetoric, referring to the special counsel’s Russia probe as a “hoax” and “Witch Hunt.”
Floyd County officials reach tentative settlement in jail death
A sheriff’s department in southern Indiana has reached a tentative settlement with the father of a woman who died in detention.
Guatemalan pleads guilty in crash that killed Colts player
A Guatemalan man living illegally in the U.S. pleaded guilty Friday to driving drunk in a crash that killed Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson and his Uber driver.
Family questions use of force in arrest of teen at festival
The family of a 15-year-old boy who was arrested at a festival in Hammond says officers used excessive force by restraining the teen on the ground and placing their knees on his back. Hammond police, however, say they did nothing wrong in arresting the boy Wednesday for disorderly conduct while breaking up a fight between two girls at the Festival of the Lakes.
Indiana authorities reach tentative settlement in Floyd County jail death
The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department has reached a tentative settlement with the father of a woman who died in detention. An order was issued June 22 to file documents and authorize dismissal within 60 days of a civil case filed by Mark Robb against Floyd County Sheriff Frank Loop, the sheriff’s department and eight other employees.
It’s hard to remove Indiana officials, including attorney general
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill remains defiant despite growing bipartisan pressure for him to resign after three women, including a state lawmaker, went public with claims that he drunkenly groped them at an Indianapolis bar. Should the situation devolve further, there are several — albeit rarely used — ways the Legislature could oust Hill from office.
Muncie’s former building commissioner admits corruption
Muncie’s former building commissioner has agreed to plead guilty to federal corruption charges. In an agreement filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, Craig Nichols pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud and money laundering. Nichols faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
Purdue prof, wife indicted on federal fraud charge
A federal grand jury has indicted a Purdue University professor and his wife on fraud charges, alleging they used federal grants to enrich themselves. The indictment filed Thursday names 59-year-old Qingyou Han, director of the Purdue Center for Materials Processing Research in West Lafayette, and his wife, 51-year-old Lu Shao.
NCAA to study possible effects of widespread legal wagering
The NCAA plans to study how the expansion of legalized betting could affect college athletics and member schools. The Supreme Court opened the door for states to have legal wagering on sporting events when it struck down a federal ban in May.
Mishawaka woman charged in death of 7-year-old hit by SUV outside home
A Mishawaka woman has been charged in connection with the death of a 7-year-old boy who was run over by an SUV outside of a northern Indiana home. Kayla Bennett, 22, was charged Thursday with causing a death while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance.
Indiana man arraigned in 1988 killing of 8-year-old girl
An Indiana man charged in the 1988 rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl has been arraigned in her slaying. An Allen County judge entered a not guilty plea for 59-year-old John D. Miller Thursday morning and assigned him a public defender.
Democrats fault Kavanaugh comment on independent counsel law
Democrats opposing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination are seizing on remarks he made in 2016 saying he would like to put the “final nail” in a Supreme Court precedent upholding an independent counsel law as constitutional. Republicans are pushing back, saying Kavanaugh’s comment is being distorted.
MGM sues Vegas shooting victims in push to avoid liability
MGM Resorts International has sued hundreds of victims of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in a bid to avoid liability for the gunfire that rained down from its Mandalay Bay casino-resort in Las Vegas. The company argues in lawsuits filed in Nevada, California, New York and other states this week and last that it has “no liability of any kind” to survivors or families of slain victims under a federal law enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
US intelligence chief, former IN Senator is harsh on Russia, at odds with Trump
National Intelligence director Dan Coats’ drumbeat of criticism against Russia is clashing loudly with President Donald Trump’s pro-Kremlin remarks, leaving the soft-spoken spy chief in an uncomfortable — and perhaps perilous — place in the administration. Coats was an Indiana senator until January 2017.
Mom of Fort Wayne girl killed in ’88 hopes defendant gets death
The mother of an 8-year-old Fort Wayne girl who was raped and killed in 1988 wants prosecutors to seek the death penalty against the man accused of the crimes. Prosecutors on Tuesday declined to discuss whether they’ll seek the death penalty for 59-year-old John Miller in the killing of April Tinsley. But the girl’s mother, Janet Tinsley, told the Journal Gazette that she wants to be present if Miller is put to death.
Dems see Kavanaugh as Obamacare threat, but law likely safe
The heated debate over how Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh would vote on the Affordable Care Act might not matter. As long as five past defenders of the health care law remain on the nation’s highest court, the odds tilt in favor of it being allowed to stand. Some Democrats are warning that President Donald Trump’s designee could spell doom for the statute, even as some conservatives are portraying Kavanaugh as sympathetic to former President Barack Obama’s landmark legislation.
Mueller seeks immunity for 5 witnesses in Manafort case
The special counsel in the Russia investigation is seeking immunity for five potential witnesses in the upcoming trial of President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort. The five individuals have indicated they won’t testify or provide other information “on the basis of their privilege against self-incrimination,” special counsel Robert Mueller’s office told a federal judge in Virginia in a court filing Tuesday.