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Reversing her decision from a month ago, a federal trustee has determined that former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick’s income is not too high to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and his filing should not be considered to be an abuse of the process.
The majority of an Indiana Court of Appeals panel today reversed a conviction of marijuana possession after the defendant contended there was insufficient evidence that she constructively possessed the drug.
The Indiana Supreme Court posted no opinions before IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Anderson Property Management LLC v. H. Anthony Miller, Jr. LLC.
43A03-1003-PL-239
Civil. Reverses trial court’s holding that the mediated agreement is enforceable and the trial court’s order that the parties execute and record the amendment to negative easement and perform their respective obligations of the mediated agreement. Also vacates trial court’s order that each party shall pay its own attorneys fees and instructs the trial court to consider this issue when it enters final judgment in this proceeding. Remands with instructions.
Mark Lesh v. Richard Chandler and Marilyn Chandler
44A05-1003-PL-197
Civil. Affirms trial court’s conclusion Lesh’s actions amounted to a private nuisance. Reverses trial court’s decision to extend the protective order dated April 26, 2006, because the proceedings on which that order was based were dismissed with prejudice by stipulation of the parties on Sept. 28, 2006. As the protective order was not in effect after Sept. 28, 2006, the finding that Lesh violated its terms is reversed. Remands for redaction of the language in Judgment Items C and G regarding the protective order. Also affirms the permanent injunction entered against Lesh, the contempt finding against Lesh, and the damages awarded in favor of the Chandlers.
Anna Quimby v. Becovic Management Group, Inc.
49A05-0912-CV-747
Civil. Affirms dismissal of Quimby’s wage claim against Becovic Management Group. She had assigned that claim to the Department of Labor, where it was resolved. Claimants who proceed under the Wage Claim statute submit their claim to the DOL rather than filing a complaint with the trial court. Immediately above her signature, the form filed with the DOL stated, “Pursuant to IC 22-2-9-5, I hereby assign to the Commissioner of Labor all my rights, title and interest in and to the above certified claim for processing in accordance with the provisions of IC 22-2-9-1, et seq.”
In the Matter of J.C., Alleged to be CHINS; K.M. and J.C. v. Indiana Dept. of Child Services, et al. (NFP)
49A02-1007-JC-878
Juvenile. Affirms CHINS determination and remands for corrections to juvenile court’s orders that improperly reflect that J.C. was removed from the home during the underlying proceedings.
Robert D. Baxton, Jr. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
82A01-1006-CR-294
Criminal. Affirms conviction of robbery as a Class B felony.
Joseph M. Ferry v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1006-CR-379
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor criminal conversion.
Glen Leroy Rusher v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A02-1006-CR-656
Criminal. Affirms revocation of probation.
A.G. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A05-1007-JV-450
Juvenile. Affirms adjudication as a delinquent child for receiving stolen property, which would be a Class D felony if committed by an adult; and criminal trespass, which would be a Class A misdemeanor if committed by an adult.
Town of Highland and Highland Sanitary District v. Lee Lieberman, et al. (NFP)
45A05-1003-CT-178
Civil. Affirms denial of motion for summary judgment by Town of Highland and the Highland Sanitary District, and remands for trial.
Anthony Scott v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1007-CR-810
Criminal. Affirms Scott’s conviction of Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.
Vincent Demus v. State of Indiana (NFP)
66A03-1008-CR-442
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class D felony possession of marijuana, Class D felony resisting law enforcement, Class B misdemeanor reckless driving, and Class C misdemeanor operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in his body.
Mark Kennedy v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A04-1005-CR-265
Criminal. Affirms convictions of attempted murder, a Class A felony; and carrying a handgun without a license, a Class A misdemeanor. Also affirms adjudication that found him to be a habitual offender.
L.H. v. Review Board of the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development, et al. (NFP)
93A02-1003-EX-327
Civil. Affirms decision of the review board to deny L.H.’s unemployment benefits.
Devon Walton v. State of Indiana (NFP)
32A05-1007-CR-483
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement by fleeing.
Willie J. Herman, Jr. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A03-1006-CR-359
Criminal. Affirms sentence for Class D felony possession of marijuana.
The Indiana Tax Court posted no opinions before IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Lisa Gray v. State of Indiana
82A01-1005-CR-223
Criminal. Reverses Gray’s conviction of possession of marijuana as a Class A misdemeanor. She contended there was insufficient evidence that she constructively possessed the marijuana. Judge Cale Bradford dissents, writing that Gray was in close proximity to the marijuana and that it was in plain view, as officers had testified at trial.
Applications for the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program are due March 31 to the Office of the Indiana Attorney General.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a defendant’s argument that the District Court violated the cross-appeal rule when it based his new sentence on remand on evidence that wasn’t relied upon at his first sentencing hearing.
The Johnson County Historical Society has been awarded an Indiana Legal History Grant by the Indiana Humanities Council and the Indiana Supreme Court, the council announced today. The $2,000 award will fund projects and research to increase the understanding of the legal history of the county among those served by the county courts.
The Indiana Court of Appeals travels to southern Indiana Wednesday to hear arguments in a case involving credit time.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. William Travis Brown
09-3976
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division. Chief Judge David F. Hamilton.
Criminal. Affirms 240-month sentence for one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography. Application of the “thing of value” enhancement was not double counting. The District Court properly based Brown’s sentence on the Section 3553(a) sentencing guidelines.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Jill M. Baird v. Lake Santee Regional Waste and Water District (NFP)
16A01-1009-CC-470
Civil collections. Affirms denial of Baird’s motion for relief from judgment granting a foreclosure decree against her property in favor of Lake Santee Regional Waste and Water District for her failure to pay sewer connection penalties.
Desmond D. Clayton v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1006-CR-363
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class B felony robbery and Class a misdemeanor battery.
Ricky Renee Patterson v. State of Indiana (NFP)
29A02-1007-PC-894
Post conviction. Affirms denial of petition for post-conviction relief.
Thomas William Donaldson v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A02-1007-CR-763
Criminal. Affirms sentence following guilty plea to Class D felony resisting law enforcement.
Carl Sonnenberg, et al. v. A.N. Real Estate Services, Inc., et al. (NFP)
29A04-1005-PL-381
Civil plenary. Affirms determination that the Sonnenbergs are only entitled to $650 in damages in a lawsuit against A.N. Real Estate Services and employee Natalie Higgens pursuant to the Home Loan Practices Act for an erroneous appraisal of their home.
Seth R. Adkins v. State of Indiana (NFP)
57A03-1010-CR-569
Criminal. Affirms sentence following guilty plea to Class A felony dealing in methamphetamine.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
The Indiana Supreme Court denied transfer to 16 cases for the week ending March 4.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. Martin Avila
09-2681
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Judge David F. Hamilton.
Criminal. Affirms 365-month sentence for drug offenses following re-sentencing on remand. The District Court corrected the drug quantity attributable to Avila. The District Court did not violate the cross-appeal rule and acted within the scope of the remand.
The Indiana Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Commission wants to set a new standard of “actual prejudice” for attorney misconduct. In making that argument, the validity of two high-profile murder convictions that Carl Brizzi secured during his time as prosecutor in the state’s largest county are being questioned.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
D.M. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1008-JV-513
Juvenile. Affirms denial of D.M.’s motion for a continuance. He was adjudicated as a delinquent child for committing what would be if committed by an adult Class D felony intimidation, Class A misdemeanor battery on a police officer, and resisting law enforcement as a Class A misdemeanor.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
In Re: Rich Bergeron
10-3279
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
Civil. Denies Bergeron’s petition for mandamus removing Judge Barker from Eppley v. Iacovelli, pending in the District Court. Bergeron is involved in that suit and was held in contempt for not removing web postings. Regarding Bergeron’s contempt proceeding, Bergeron didn’t ask the 7th Circuit to stay the proceeding in the District Court and it’s now too late to order the judge removed from the case because she’s through with it. The appearance of impropriety in this case is too attenuated to justify that extraordinary remedy.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a man’s petition for writ of mandamus to remove a federal judge from a case he is involved with that’s still pending in District Court. The man failed to intervene in the case and his interest in the case is too uncertain to give him the rights of a party automatically, the judges ruled Friday.
The Indiana House Republicans passed a motion Thursday fining the Democrats who fled to Illinois last week $250 a day until a quorum is present.
The man who sued the Indiana Supreme Court and state Board of Law Examiners because he wants to take the bar exam without going to law school wants a federal judge to reopen his case, arguing that he has no other legal recourse available and the court’s refusal to allow relief is contrary to established precedent.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Eddie M. Taylor v. State of Indiana
20A03-1003-CR-256
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class A felony dealing in cocaine and Class B felony dealing in cocaine. Taylor’s decision to proceed pro se was knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made and he was not denied the right to counsel, as he was appointed counsel the day before his trial was scheduled to begin.
State of Indiana v. Danny LeFlore (NFP)
49A05-1010-CR-698
Criminal. Reverses denial of the state’s motion to use pretrial statements of witnesses who had been excluded. Remands with instructions that the trial court hear the state’s evidence and make a determination as to whether LeFlore’s conduct rendered the witnesses unavailable for cross-examination and thus, whether LeFlore forfeited his right to confrontation.
J.L. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1006-JV-791
Juvenile. Affirms restitution order following adjudication as a delinquent child for committing what would be Class D felony theft if committed by an adult.
C.H. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1008-JV-912
Juvenile. Affirms adjudication as a delinquent child for committing acts that would be battery, criminal recklessness, and dangerous possession of a firearm if committed by an adult. Affirms order committing C.H. to the Department of Correction.
Term. of Parent-Child Rel. of A.C.; J.C. v. Tippecanoe County DCS (NFP)
79A04-1007-JT-495
Juvenile. Affirms involuntary termination of parental rights.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, Inc. v. Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, et al.
49A02-1002-PL-125
Civil plenary. Affirms denial of the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers’ motion for a preliminary injunction against the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to enjoin the commission from issuing new beer dealer’s permits in locations in which the statutory limits on the number of beer dealer’s permits have been met or exceeded. The Commission’s interpretation of 7.1-3 is reasonable and doesn’t violate Title 7.1. The IABR also failed to show its members are likely to suffer irreparable harm if no injunction is issued.
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed that an association comprised of retail package liquor stores isn’t entitled to injunctive relief preventing the state’s Alcohol and Tobacco Commission from issuing permits to stores in the same manner it has for the last 30 years.
The third annual March Against Hunger food drive challenge among law firms and lawyers around the state kicks off March 14. The Indiana Attorney General’s Office is teaming up again with the Indiana State Bar Association and Feeding Indiana’s Hungry to encourage the legal community help needy Hoosiers.