Search Results

Indiana Court of Appeals
Juventino V. Ramirez v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
20A-CR-1982
Criminal. Affirms Juventino V. Ramirez’s conviction of Level 4 felony child molesting. Finds the Allen Superior Court’s rulings on Ramirez’s discovery requests were not an abuse of discretion, nor did they violate his constitutional rights. Also finds the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Ramirez’s motion for a continuance, did not allow him to make an offer of proof of a recording of a forensic interview, allowed a witness to give vouching testimony or in instructing the jury. Finally, finds that even if the trial court abused its discretion in allowing vouching testimony or hearsay, the error was harmless.

The following Indiana Supreme Court opinion was posted after IL deadline Tuesday:
Zachariah Brian Wright v. State of Indiana
20S-LW-260
Life without parole. Affirms the denial of Zachariah Brian Wright’s request to self-represent, and his sentence of life without the possibility of parole plus 18 years for his convictions of murder, Level 3 felony criminal confinement, Level 6 felony theft, Level 5 felony burglary and Level 2 felony attempted burglary. Finds that Wright’s waiver of the right to counsel was knowing and voluntary, but because his waiver was neither unequivocal nor intelligent, the Boone Superior Court properly denied his request. Also finds Wright’s sentence was not inappropriate in light of the nature of his offenses or his character. Remands for the correction of a minor oversight in the sentencing order. Justice Mark Massa concurs in result with separate opinion. Justice Geoffrey Slaughter dissents with separate opinion.