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Indiana Supreme Court
Anthony Wayne Carter v. State of Indiana
No. 25S-LW-50

Criminal. Appeal from the Bartholomew Superior Court, Judge James D. Worton. Affirms Carter’s murder conviction and sentence of life imprisonment without parole. Holds the trial court did not abuse its discretion by declining to give a proposed lesser-included jury instruction on reckless homicide because there was no serious evidentiary dispute regarding Carter’s intent; Carter conceded he intentionally hastened the victim’s death by asphyxiation, which was an actual and proximate cause of death even if the gunshot wound was potentially fatal. Further holds sufficient evidence supported the jury’s finding of the statutory torture aggravator under Indiana Code § 35-50-2-9(b)(11), based on evidence that Carter intentionally prolonged and amplified the victim’s suffering through shooting, strangulation, and methodical suffocation with a plastic bag and duct tape. Concludes the jury reasonably found the aggravators outweighed any mitigating circumstances and properly recommended life without parole. Appellant’s attorney: R. Patrick Magrath. Appellee’s attorneys: Office of the Indiana Attorney General. This content was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and has been reviewed by an editor for accuracy.

Indiana Court of Appeals
In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of A.D. v. Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health
No. 25A-MH-3292
Mental Health. Appeal from the Marion Superior Court, Judge David Certo. Affirms the trial court’s order temporarily committing A.D. to Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health for up to 90 days. Holds that clear and convincing evidence supported the finding that A.D. suffers from a mental illness — schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type — under Indiana Code § 12-7-2-130. Concludes the psychiatrist’s testimony, based on repeated evaluations, observed symptoms, and A.D.’s treatment history, was sufficient even though the physician could not specify the exact onset date of the disorder or personally observe symptoms for six months. Rejects A.D.’s argument that the diagnosis was too equivocal to support commitment. Notes that A.D. did not challenge the trial court’s finding that she was gravely disabled. Affirms that the evidence showed impaired judgment, inability to function independently, lack of a viable housing or employment plan, medication noncompliance, and behavior demonstrating an inability to regulate emotions. Appellant’s attorneys: Marion County Public Defender Agency (Talisha Griffin) and Joel M. Schumm. Appellee’s attorneys: Ice Miller LLP.

This content was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and has been reviewed by an editor for accuracy.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Mark Landon Taylor v. State of Indiana
No. 25A-CR-2155

Criminal. Appeal from the Hamilton Superior Court, Judge William J. Hughes. Affirms Taylor’s convictions and sentence for Class A misdemeanor domestic battery and Class A misdemeanor theft. Holds the trial court did not violate Taylor’s Sixth Amendment rights because the sentence imposed for domestic battery did not exceed the statutory maximum authorized by Indiana Code §§ 35-50-3-1 and 35-50-3-2, and thus Blakely does not apply. Further holds the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding Taylor’s substance use was a contributing factor to the offense and sentencing him under Indiana Code § 35-50-3-1(c). Also holds the trial court did not err by imposing probationary terms without a substantiating report because Taylor received 365 days of probation on each misdemeanor conviction, and no single probationary term exceeded 12 months, making the statutory report requirement inapplicable. Rejects Taylor’s argument that the aggregate probationary period required a report and notes Taylor did not preserve a challenge to the consecutive nature of his sentences. Accordingly, affirms the judgment and sentence. Appellant’s attorney: Michael D. Frischkorn. Appellee’s attorneys: Office of the Indiana Attorney General.