Indiana Court decisions – Feb. 13-26, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
IL Staff
Articles
Judges portrayed as aggressors in gunman’s self-defense claim
Did Brandon Kaiser pull the trigger on two Indiana judges only after they attacked him and placed him in fear for his life? He claims in court filings they did. But even as the judges involved in the now-infamous brawl have retaken the bench after brief suspensions, video that could prove conclusive remains under a court seal.
Discipline orders: 3 attorneys suspended, 1 indefinitely
Two Hoosier attorneys have been suspended from the practice of law for noncooperation with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, while a third has been indefinitely suspended for failing to cooperate, justices announced Thursday in three disciplinary orders.
Justices to hear arguments at UIndy next month
The Indiana Supreme Court is once again taking its oral arguments on the road, announcing plans to hear a case at the University of Indianapolis next month.
Judge dismisses women’s lawsuit accusing Curtis Hill of sexual harassment
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by four women who say Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill groped them during a legislative party in 2018. Indiana Southern District Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson said in part that because the women didn’t work for Hill, they can’t sue the state of Indiana under federal laws meant to prevent workplace discrimination and retaliation.
Muncie lawyer gets suspension, JLAP monitoring for having cocaine
A Delaware County lawyer found with drugs in his home will serve a four-month suspension, plus probationary monitoring under the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program. The order culminates the sixth formal disciplinary action against the Muncie attorney.
Supreme Court will decide fate of Obama health care law
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide a lawsuit that threatens the Obama-era health care law, but the decision is not likely until after the 2020 election.
Volunteers to gather Wednesday for CASA Day celebration
Hoosiers who volunteer their time and energy advocating on behalf of kids in the child welfare system will have a chance next week to celebrate more than three decades of effort.
IU McKinney veteran Bravo selected as next law school dean
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law has chosen one of its own, vice dean and professor Karen Bravo, to replace outgoing dean Andrew Klein. The school announced its choice at the end of a nationwide search in a letter to faculty and staff today.
Northern District: Bankruptcy fees must be paid as cases are e-filed
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana has announced updates will go into effect March 2 regarding the payment of filing fees for electronically filed cases.
Man charged in judges’ shooting claims self-defense, says judges were aggressors
The man charged with shooting two southern Indiana judges outside an Indianapolis fast food restaurant last year claimed in a Tuesday court filing that he acted in self-defense. The notice of affirmative defense also alleges the judges were the aggressors as alleged gunman Brandon Kaiser and his nephew, Alfredo Vazquez, were stopping to eat at a downtown White Castle, where the shooting took place in the parking lot.
Some doctors worried by Indiana ‘surprise’ billing proposal
Some Indiana doctors are raising fears about possible loss of emergency services under a plan to limit “surprise” medical bills that can plague patients who have been unknowingly treated by providers from outside their insurance networks.
Justices grant transfer in 4 cases, deny 19 others
The Indiana Supreme Court declined to hear 19 cases out of 23 petitions for transfer last week but agreed to hear cases involving post-conviction relief and termination of parental rights, among others.
Justices to hear murderer’s PCR case Thursday
Indiana Supreme Court justices have agreed to hear a man’s petition after an appellate panel reversed a grant of relief from his 141-year prison sentence for murder.
Expungement wait-time case set for Thursday oral arguments
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear oral argument this week in a criminal expungement case that has previously divided the Indiana Court of Appeals about when the trigger date for five-year expungement waiting periods should begin.
Judge who resigned appointed pro tem of Lowell Town Court
A judge pro tempore has been appointed to a northwestern Indiana town court after its sitting judge resigned and no local attorney was available to serve as judge, according to an Indiana Supreme Court order.
Clark Circuit Judge Adams apologizes for fight that led to his shooting
A southern Indiana judge is apologizing for a May 1 fight outside an Indianapolis fast-food restaurant during which he and another judge were shot and seriously wounded. The apology comes as Judge Andrew Adams is seeking re-election after pleading guilty to battery for his role in a shooting in which he and a fellow Clark Circuit judge were seriously injured.
Selby: AG Hill should get 60-day suspension, no automatic reinstatement
The hearing officer presiding over Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s discipline case has recommended that the state’s highest-ranking attorney serve a two-month suspension without automatic reinstatement for violations of two professional conduct rules related to sexual misconduct allegations against him.
Applications open for 3 Marion Superior Court vacancies
Applications are now being accepted for three upcoming judicial vacancies on the Marion Superior Court bench, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Friday.
Retention interview schedule set for Marion County judges
Interview schedules have been set for Marion County’s incumbent judges seeking retention, just one day after members of the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee convened.