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Marion Superior Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has just received confirmation from the U.S. Senate, meaning she'll become state's
first African-American federal judge and one of four female jurists on Indiana's federal bench.
The state could be on its way to getting a new federal magistrate in the Southern District of Indiana, the first new magistrate
in more than two decades.
The Supreme Court of the United States won’t take a case from New Albany about the city’s battle to close an adult
book and movie store.
The Indiana Court of Appeals says a ruling by the state justices last year can’t be used to stop juvenile courts from
ordering juveniles to register as sex offenders.
The nation’s highest court won’t take a case from the Indiana Supreme Court, which decided last year that it did
not violate a man’s Sixth Amendment rights for a lab technician who’d processed DNA evidence to not testify at
trial.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Ronald
D. Dean v. Kristine M. Weaver
20A03-1001-MI-9
Civil. Affirms order denying Dean's motion seeking collection of his expert-witness fees from Weaver. The Indiana trial
court which had acquired restrictive jurisdiction pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 28(E) to conduct ancillary discovery proceedings
lacks the jurisdiction to reopen the cause and hear Dean’s motion on the payment of his fees.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Ronald
D. Dean v. Kristine M. Weaver
20A03-1001-MI-9
Civil. Affirms order denying Dean's motion seeking collection of his expert-witness fees from Weaver. The Indiana trial
court that had acquired restrictive jurisdiction pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 28(E) to conduct ancillary discovery proceedings
lacks the jurisdiction to reopen the cause and hear Dean’s motion on the payment of his fees.
Steve
Pigg v. State of Indiana
52A02-0907-CV-666
Civil. Affirms denial of Pigg's motion for delivery of money from a former attorney. Pigg has waived his claim of injury
due to lack of a hearing by failing to request a hearing; but, waiver notwithstanding, Pigg failed to demonstrate any abuse
of discretion by the trial court in holding a trial by affidavit. Concludes from the evidence that attorney Kiefer has proven
that no unearned portions of the retainer paid for Pigg's representation remained upon Kiefer's termination of that
representation.
Diosha L. Lamb v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A03-0912-CR-591
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor invasion of privacy.
Vickie A. Chaffins v. State of Indiana (NFP)
17A03-1001-CR-98
Criminal. Affirms sentence following guilty plea to Class A felony dealing methamphetamine.
Robert
D. Storey v. State of Indiana (NFP)
20A05-0911-PC-622
Post conviction. Affirms denial of petition for post-conviction relief.
Christopher
Roberts v. State of Indiana (NFP)
34A02-1002-CR-147
Criminal. Affirms sentence following guilty plea to Class D felony theft, Class C felony burglary, and Class D felony possession
of stolen property.
Rick Glascoe v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A04-0911-CR-635
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor battery.
S.H.
v. Review Board of the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development and D.O. McComb & Sons, Inc. (NFP)
93A02-0912-EX-1191
Civil. Affirms denial of unemployment benefits.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
The Indiana Supreme Court denied transfer in four cases June 3. As of today’s Indiana Lawyer daily deadline,
the court had not yet posted transfers since those from the week ending June 4.
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed that an arrestee brought to the hospital by police who was forced to have a catheter
to obtain a urine sample can’t sue the health-care providers under the Medical Malpractice Act. The appellate judges
also ruled the health-care providers weren’t entitled to blanket immunity.
Today’s Opinions
Indiana Supreme Court posted no opinions before IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Sam's
East Inc. City of Greenwood Board of Zoning Appeals v. United Energy Corporation Inc. d/b/a Greenwood Sunoco
41A04-0909-CV-545
Civil. Affirms trial court’s reversal of the decision of the City of Greenwood Board of Zoning Appeals to issue a variance
to Sam’s East Inc. to have a gas station near a Sam’s Club location in Greenwood. Since receiving approval for
the gas station in 2005, Sam’s Club had encountered an environmental issue that delayed building plans, and the permit
had expired before Sam’s constructed the gas station. After the permit expired, Sunoco built a gas station on property
adjacent to Sam’s property. Shortly after, an ordinance was adopted that changed whether gas stations could be built
in the area where Sam’s had previously received permission.
Cedar
Mill Homeowners Association Inc. v. Patrick J. Bocian (NFP)
32A05-1001-SC-85
Civil. Affirms small claims court’s denial of Cedar Mill’s request for attorney’s fees.
Gregor
W. King and Delores P. King v. Hamilton Southeastern Utilities Inc. (NFP)
29A05-0909-CV-527
Civil. Affirms amount of damages entered after a jury trial for the valuation of the Kings’ land affected by the acquisition
of a temporary and permanent easement by eminent domain.
K.T.
v. Review Board of the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development (NFP)
93A02-0912-EX-1266
Civil. Affirms decision of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development Unemployment Insurance Review Board affirming
the decision of the administrative law judge to dismiss K.T.’s appeal as untimely.
J.S.
v. J.M. and M.M. (NFP)
75A03-0911-CV-535
Civil. Affirms trial court’s order granting visitation with J.S. (mother)’s minor daughter C.G.M. to her paternal
grandparents J.M. and M.M..
A.E.
a/k/a A.S v. B.S. (NFP)
80A02-0909-CV-905
Civil. Reverses and remands trial court’s order emancipating A.E. (mother) and B.S. (father)’s 19-year-old son
K.S. Also reverses and remands determination of arrearages on child support; and apportionment of partial arrearage to K.S.
Indiana Tax Court posted no opinions before IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Larz
A. Elliott v. Rush Memorial Hospital, et al.
70A01-0911-CV-553
Civil. Affirms dismissal of Larz Elliott’s proposed medical malpractice complaint against Rush Memorial Hospital, Carrie
Tressler, and Dr. Philip Kingma. Elliott had alleged battery and negligence with respect to the forced catheterization to
retrieve a urine sample after a Rush County sheriff’s deputy transported him to Rush Memorial Hospital and represented
a court order at the hospital to retrieve a blood sample and a urine sample. Finds trial court erred in concluding that the
defendants enjoy complete statutory immunity from any civil liability related to his claims of battery and negligence, but
also finds Elliot’s claims fall outside the parameters of the Medical Malpractice Act because he was not a “patient”
of the defendants, and that his catheterization clearly was not for his own medical benefit.
The U.S. Senate plans to vote on a Marion Superior judge’s nomination for the federal bench on Tuesday, according to
a spokesman in Sen. Evan’s Bayh’s office. Senators agreed Thursday to consider the nomination of Marion Superior
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, whom the president chose in January for the Southern District of Indiana to succeed Judge David
F. Hamilton. Judge Hamilton was elevated to the federal appeals bench late last year.
The Indiana Court of Appeals today turned to an issue that has been dealt with few times in state court history:
What happens when a nursing home facility brings a local string band to play for the residents, and one of those volunteers
arrives on the property and drives into the building before the performance, jumping a curb and striking a nursing home resident
on the front porch before crashing into the building itself?
Standing behind a decision made by appellate judges about 20 years ago, the Indiana Court of Appeals has again declined to
interpret state statute in a way that allows for a private right of action for failing to report child abuse or neglect.
Today’s opinions
Indiana Supreme Court posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
The
Guardianship of Edwin T. French Jr.; Gail French Pheffer v. Edwin T. French III
49A02-0908-CV-742
Civil. Reverses and remands trial court’s grant of a motion to dismiss filed by Edwin T. French III. Pheffer raised
two issues, consolidated and restated as whether trial court erred by granting Edwin T. French III’s motion to dismiss
under Ind. Trial Rule 12(B)(6).
Caylin
P. Black v. State of Indiana (NFP)
27A04-0909-CR-501
Criminal. Affirms conviction after a jury trial of dealing in cocaine, a Class A felony.
Kenneth
Wilson v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-0910-CR-1036
Criminal. Reduces conviction of robbery from a Class B felony to a Class C felony, reduces conviction of criminal confinement
as a Class C felony to a Class D felony, and remands for resentencing. Affirms trial court’s sentence enhancement by
determining Wilson to be a habitual offender was not inappropriate in light of his extensive criminal history.
Steven
Wilson v. State of Indiana (NFP)
http://media.ibj.com/Lawyer/websites/opinions/index.php?pdf=06101002nhv.pdf
49A02-0910-CR-1047
Criminal. Affirms two convictions of Class B felony child molesting.
T.Y.
v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-0911-JV-1131
Juvenile. Affirms juvenile court’s true findings that T.Y. committed delinquent acts, which if committed by an adult
would constitute two counts of forgery as Class C felonies. Reverses juvenile court’s true findings that T.Y. committed
delinquent acts, which if committed by an adult would constitute two counts of attempted theft as Class D felonies. Remands
with instructions to vacate T.Y.’s two true findings for attempted theft.
Indiana Tax Court posted no opinions at IL deadline.
State trial judges can consider sentencing scores to help tailor penalties to individual defendants, as long as those results
aren’t used as final aggravating or mitigating factors in deciding a penalty length, the Indiana Supreme Court says
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the defendant’s sentence that they had increased on appeal in March in an opinion
on rehearing today and addressed the characteristics of an Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B) review.
The following opinion was posted Tuesday after IL deadline.
Indiana Tax Court
Lawrence
and Glenda Pachniak v. Marshall County Assessor (NFP)
49T10-0904-TA-18
Tax. Affirms the Indiana Board of Tax Review’s final determination regarding the Pachniak’s 2006 real property
assessment.
Today’s opinions:
Indiana Supreme Court posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
J.M.
v. M.A., et al.
20A04-0911-CV-640
Civil. Reverses and remands decision of trial court with instructions trial court vacate its order adjudicating J.M. as the
legal father of W.H. and ordering him to pay child support. Additionally, because the state has conceded that J.M. is not
W.H.‘s biological father, the trial court must set aside the paternity affidavit.
Fifth Third Bank v. Peoples National Bank
49A02-0908-CV-753
Civil. Reverses and remands with instructions to determine the appropriate amount of sanctions to be assessed against Fifth
Third Bank. The issue raised was whether Fifth Third waived its right to enforce its security interest with respect to its
indebted depositor’s checking account and proceeds held therein.
American
Heritage Banco Inc. v. Arthur W. Cranston and Joanne E. Cranston, et al.
76A04-0907-CV-384
Civil. Reverses and remands trial court’s judgment in favor of Arthur W. and Joanne E. Cranston on American Heritage
Banco Inc.’s mortgage foreclosure claim and claim for damages on a promissory note against the Cranstons. The trial
court had denied the bank’s claims for relief and instead entered judgment in favor of the Cranstons on the Cranstons’
affirmative defense and counterclaim for constructive fraud against AHB. The trial court also awarded treble damages and attorney
fees to the Cranstons pursuant to the Indiana Crime Victim’s Relief Act.
Ben
Erwin and Shona Erwin as parents, natural guardians, and next-of-friend of their minor child, D.E. v. Brenda Roe
16A01-0906-CV-312
Civil. Affirms in part, reverses in part, and remands. Concludes (1) trial court was within its discretion to deny the Erwins’
extension of time; (2) Roe is not liable for treble damages with respect to the federal statute; however, knowledge is not
a requirement for violation of Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act; (3) Roe was negligent per se with respect
to state tort law; and (4) there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Roe was provided with a reasonable amount
of time after she received notice lead paint would need to be removed from the house she rented to the Erwins before they
broke their lease.
Value
World Inc. of Indiana v. Review Board of the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development and C.C.
93A02-1001-EX-61
Civil. Affirms determination of the Unemployment Review Board of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development that concludes
Value World did not have good cause for failing to attend an administrative appeal hearing.
Ebrahima
Diallo v. State of Indiana
49A05-0910-CR-614
Criminal. Affirms convictions of three counts of Class C felony forgery.
Aaron Johnson v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A03-1001-CR-11
Criminal. Affirms trial court’s denial of motion to withdraw guilty plea.
Vicki
Sue Maze v. Robert L. Davenport, et al. (NFP)
50A03-0911-CV-531
Civil. Affirms trial court’s grant of summary judgment with respect to Maze’s claim for damages for breach of
contract. Remands as to Maze’s unjust enrichment claim.
Joseph
B. Williams AKA Lonnie Williams v. State of Indiana (NFP)
32A05-0906-CV-334
Civil. Affirms trial court’s denial of petition for writ of habeas corpus, after revocation of parole.
Bruce W. Guess v. State of Indiana (NFP)
64A03-0910-CR-497
Criminal. Affirms sentence following a guilty plea to murder and robbery as a Class B felony.
Jerome
Ford v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-0911-CR-1067
Criminal. Affirms conviction of battery, a Class A misdemeanor.
Terry
Ray Isaacs v. State of Indiana (NFP)
21A01-0907-PC-328
Post-conviction. Affirms denial of petition for post-conviction relief.
Andrew
Tesch v. State of Indiana (NFP)
22A01-1001-CR-26
Criminal. Affirms sentence imposed following guilty plea to Class C felony robbery.
Anthony
L. Beery v. State of Indiana (NFP)
01A02-1002-CR-108
Criminal. Affirms trial court’s finding of violation of probation and probation revocation.
Leeland
Runkel v. State of Indiana (NFP)
38A04-0909-PC-546
Post-conviction. Affirms denial of petition for post-conviction relief.
James
Watkins v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-0911-CR-1058
Criminal. Affirms conviction of resisting law enforcement, a Class D felony.
Wolf
Lake Pub Inc. v. Review Board of the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development, et al. (NFP)
93A02-0910-EX-957
Civil. Affirms decision of the Indiana Unemployment Insurance Review Board dismissing Wolf Lake Pub’s appeal for failure
to appear at a hearing.
Copenhaver
Construction Consultants LLC, et al. v. Lincoln Bank (NFP)
32A01-0909-CV-476
Civil. Affirms trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Lincoln Bank and denial of appellants’ counter-motion
for partial summary judgment.
Gary
Parsley v. State of Indiana (NFP)
28A05-0911-CR-650
Criminal. Reverses and remands sentence following a guilty plea to attempted aggravated battery, a Class B felony.
Mark
Vickery v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1001-CR-38
Criminal. Affirms trial court’s denial of motion to remove sexually violent predator status.
Rickey
D. Miller and Jennifer Miller v. Art Duncan, M.D. (NFP)
22A01-0907-CV-316
Civil. Affirms judgment entered on medical malpractice action after jury returned a verdict in favor of Dr. Duncan.
Steven
T. Hutson Jr. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
61A05-1002-CR-56
Criminal. Affirms probation revocation.
Tara
L. Huffman v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A03-1002-CR-89
Criminal. Affirms convictions of possession of cocaine, fraud, and theft as Class D felonies.
J.D.
v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-0911-JV-1112
Juvenile. Affirms adjudication of J.D. as a juvenile delinquent after the juvenile court found he committed acts that would
be Class B felony burglary and Class D felony theft if committed by an adult.
Matthew
Ferry v. State of Indiana (NFP)
79A04-0910-CR-606
Criminal. Affirms convictions of possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor; maintaining a common nuisance, a Class D
felony; possession of marijuana while having a prior conviction, a Class D felony, and with being a habitual substance offender.
Indiana Tax Court posted no opinions at IL deadline.
While applauding a prison inmate for pursuing higher education while behind bars, the Indiana Court of Appeals has determined
that man shouldn’t receive additional educational credit time for a program the state system doesn’t consider
to fit into its definition of “literacy and life skills” programs.