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Indiana Court of Appeals
Calvary Temple Church of Evansville, Inc v. Gerard A. Kirsch
23A-CT-1728
Civil tort. Affirms the Vanderburgh Superior Court’s denial of the Calvary Temple Church’s motion for summary judgment on Gerard Kirsch’s complaint alleging Calvary’s negligence. Finds that under Indiana Code section 34-31-7-2, “premises . . . used primarily for worship services” means only those portions of the premises that are used primarily for worship services.  Also finds that Calvary did not designate evidence that the shed where Kirsch was injured was used primarily for worship services. Finally, finds Calvary’s summary judgment motion turns solely on an interpretation of the statute that the appellate court rejects.

7^th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. Bradley Olson and Shirley Olson, doing business as Affordable Sewer Service
23-1864
Civil. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division. Chief Judge Holly Brady. Reverses the district court’s denial of an injunction compelling Bradley and Shirley Olson to deposit withholding taxes into a bank using an approved payroll service and requiring the Olsons to pay their taxes ahead of private creditors, permit the Internal Revenue Service to inspect their books and records, and notify the IRS if they start another business. Finds the Department of Treasury’s injury from a continuation of the Olsons’ conduct is irreparable. Remands for entry of the proposed injunction.

Indiana Supreme Court
Sabrina L. Dunn v. State of Indiana
24S-CR-123
Criminal. Vacates Sabrina Dunn’s murder conviction in Orange Circuit Court. Finds the trial court’s final instruction use of “and/or” was ambiguous and misleading. Also finds that, considering the instructions as a whole and the unusual facts of the trial, the high court concludes that the language describing the state’s burden of proof on Dunn’s defenses was so misleading as to produce fundamental error. Finally, finds the ambiguous, repeated, and uncured use of “and/or” to instruct the jury on the state’s burden of proof impaired the sole defense strategy Dunn pursued throughout the trial and there is a serious risk she was wrongly convicted without the state disproving beyond a reasonable doubt that she acted in defense of her dwelling. Remands to the trial court for further proceedings.