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Indiana Court of Appeals
Layke D. Leonard v. State of Indiana   
No. 26A-IF-365 
Appeal from Henry Circuit Court, Judge David L. McCord. The court reversed Leonard’s conviction for making an unsafe start under Indiana Code section 9-21-8-23. The court found insufficient evidence to prove that Leonard’s actions constituted an unsafe start, noting that while his tires squealed, there was no evidence to suggest his vehicle was operated in a dangerous manner. Judge May authored the opinion, with Judges Pyle and Scheele concurring.  Appellant attorney: Nathan Vining, Vining Legal LLC, Indianapolis. Appellee’s attorney: Office of the Indiana Attorney General.

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Indiana Court of Appeals

A.A. v. Richmond State Hospital
No. 26A-MH-342 

Appeal from Marion Superior Court, Judge David Certo. Appellant identified as “A.A.” appeals the continuation of his regular commitment, arguing that the trial court erred in holding his review hearing remotely and that the evidence is insufficient to establish that he was “gravely disabled” at the time of the hearing. The appeals court found that while the trial court’s decision to conduct the hearing remotely did not meet the standard of good cause, the error was harmless as A.A. actively participated. The evidence was sufficient to demonstrate that A.A. was gravely disabled due to his schizophrenia and refusal to take medication, thereby supporting his continued commitment. However, the court reversed part of the trial court’s commitment order regarding findings of stimulant-use and cannabis-use disorders, determining that such findings were not supported by evidence. Judge Vaidik authored the opinion, with Judges Altice and Foley concurring. Attorney for appellant: Casey Farrington, Marion County Public Defender Agency. Attorney for appellee: Office of the Indiana Attorney General.

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Indiana Court of Appeals

Brittney Best v. The Standard Fire Insurance Company d/b/a Travelers Insurance, et al.
No. 26A-CT-459
Appeal from the Tipton Circuit Court, Judge Thomas R. Lett. Reverses trial court dismissal of complaint over insurance payout and remands for entry of a partial summary judgement for the appellant and a determination of which insurers must pay her underinsured motorist benefits. Appellant’s 17-year-old son died in a 2023 car accident in which a driver heading in the opposite direction crossed the center line and hit the car he was riding in. Best had made claims for underinsured motorist benefits against both Travelers Insurance and AAA Insurance. The insurers had argued that the tortfeasor was not underinsured because its payment of $100,000, which was split between Best and her son’s father, had reached the policy’s per-person limit. The appeals court noted that the proper comparison in these cases is what the claimant actually received from the policy and the per-person limit of the applicable coverage. Judge Vaidik authored the opinion. Judges Altice and Foley concur. Appellant attorneys: Nicholas C. Deets, Tyler J. Zipes, Hovde Dassow and Deets LLC, Indianapolis. Appellee attorneys: Michael R. Giordano, C. Chase Wilson, Lewis Wagner & Trimble, Indianapolis.

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