‘I’m living like I died before’: Inside the fight to exonerate Leon Benson
A letter from a stranger in Philadelphia kicked off a series of events that freed Leon Benson.
Tyler Fenwick
Articles
7th Circuit judges open up about their process, tips for arguments during IU McKinney panel
Three federal judges from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals shed some light on how they work, offered advice to attorneys and reminisced on former judges during a conversation Monday evening at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
7th Circuit hears arguments in Shelbyville woman’s Rehabilitation Act case at IU McKinney
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is urging the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a district court’s ruling that a Shelbyville woman with a mobility impairment has meaningful access to post office services.
Summit meant to ‘move the needle’ on civics education
A first-of-its-kind civics summit in Indianapolis in April will convene leaders from government, education, business and the law, with the goal of creating a coalition that can keep up the momentum for civics education in Indiana.
DCS settles for $750K with family in child removal case
The parents of a child who was removed by the Department of Child Services for three months as an infant reached a $750,000 settlement with the agency earlier this month.
Indiana State Prison facing $20M lawsuit for inmate’s stabbing death
The family of a man who was stabbed to death by another inmate in the Indiana State Prison has filed a $20 million civil rights lawsuit against prison officials.
COA splits, allows suit involving West Coast parties to proceed in Indiana
Parties from the West Coast who entered into two contracts with an Indiana company had sufficient contacts within the state to give an Indiana trial court jurisdiction over them, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled in a split decision.
Reassigned VA worker didn’t face discrimination or retaliation, 7th Circuit affirms
A Black female Veterans’ Administration employee who was reassigned to a different position failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the VA discriminated or retaliated against her.
US courts bolster security, see drop in cases filed in 2022
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts highlighted its 2022 legislative goals and achievements — including a new law meant to protect federal judges’ personal information — in an annual report released Tuesday.
Northern District jury awards $5.5M in pregnancy discrimination case against Franciscan
A jury in the Indiana Northern District Court has awarded a Crown Point woman $5.5 million in a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit against the health system Franciscan Alliance.
In 5th appeal, COA affirms denial of PCR petition filed by man whose sentenced was slashed
A man whose sentence was previously reduced to less than half of the original term could not convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that the denial of his post-conviction relief petition was erroneous.
No bones about it: COA rules children don’t have authority to take mother’s dog to father’s home
The children of divorced parents can’t take their mother’s dog to their father’s home during his parenting time, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled in reversing a trial court’s order.
After effects: Post-COVID, bar pass rates dip for first-time takers in 2022 as scores level out
The American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently released pass rates for first-time test takers in 2022, showing a 9 percentage point drop from 2020 and a slightly smaller decline from 2019 before the pandemic.
Proponents of increased juror pay bill point to better engagement
As it stands now, the pay to show up for jury selection is $15 per day. Those chosen to serve on a jury earn $40 per day, which comes out to $5 an hour for an eight-hour day. Legislation making its way through the Statehouse would double that pay.
COA: Man who hid from police, pulled arm away met definition of resisting law enforcement
A Shelbyville man who hid from police in an attic and pulled his arm away during an attempted arrest was properly found guilty of resisting law enforcement, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled in affirming a trial court’s decision.
LSC asking Congress for $1.5B as ‘justice gap’ widens
The Legal Services Corporation is asking for $1.5 billion from Congress in its fiscal year 2024 budget request, more than double its appropriation for 2023.
COA: Doctrine of res ipsa loquitur inapplicable in medical disclosure case
A northwest Indiana man whose medical information was somehow disclosed did not show the hospital had exclusive control over the information, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled in affirming a trial court’s summary judgment in favor of the hospital.
Indianapolis man exonerated from wrongful murder conviction after 25 years in prison
A Marion Superior Court judge vacated the first-degree murder conviction of Leon Benson on Wednesday, after an investigation revealed evidence buried in the police file by the lead detective pointed to another man as the actual shooter.
7th Circuit reverses lower court’s finding in First Amendment case, affirms severability determination
Monroe County’s variance procedure operated as a prior restraint of speech, but it didn’t amount to a First Amendment violation, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in reversing a district court’s finding and vacating a permanent injunction.
COA: State law supports approval for Duke’s $2 billion economic development plan
Duke Energy will be able to proceed with a nearly $2 billion economic development plan after the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled a regulatory commission’s approval met the requirements of state law.