SCOTUS says judges can recall discharged juries
The Supreme Court of the United States said Thursday that judges may — in rare circumstances — call a jury back to the courtroom after it has delivered a verdict and been dismissed.
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Task force debates putting pre-conviction filings online
The Indiana Supreme Court’s Advisory Task Force on Remote Access to and Privacy of Electronic Court Records voted Friday to recommend attorneys and clients have access online to all criminal case filings they are party to after the conviction has been entered, but did not set a date for when that would be available. The task force is considering whether pre-conviction criminal case filings should go online.
Man loses home damage appeal that blamed neighbor’s watering
A man whose Monroe County home was lost to mold contamination lost his appeal of a jury verdict in favor of his neighbor. The homeowner had claimed his neighbor’s excessive watering of her lawn caused water damage to the basement of his home.
COA: Lack of warning signs reinstates suit in fatal crash
The Indiana Court of Appeals found the Hancock County Board of Commissioners was not liable for the way an intersection was designed but found there was an issue of material fact as to whether the county should have installed warning signs there. A man was killed at the intersection in 2009 in a crash with another vehicle, triggering a lawsuit.
Newborn blood sample case appealed to Indiana’s high court
An Indiana couple seeking the destruction of millions of newborn blood samples stored in a state warehouse is appealing their case to the Indiana Supreme Court. The couple’s attorney filed a petition Thursday asking the state high court to take up the case.
Ex-credit union chief loses defamation per se appeal
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for an employer after the president of a company was fired over an executive’s hotline call. The president claimed defamation per se and considered the hotline company liable, but the COA ruled comments made during the call were not defamatory.
COA reinstates ex-boyfriend’s complaint for damages
The Indiana Court of Appeals found a man’s complaints for compensation against his girlfriend for work he did on two houses, including a house they both lived in, should not have been dismissed. The case was remanded to the trial court.
US backs Syrian refugees against Pence at 7th Circuit
The Department of Justice is urging the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago to affirm an Indianapolis district court judge’s ruling that blocked Gov. Mike Pence’s directive to suspend federal aid to Syrian refugees resettled in Indiana.
Judge dismisses sludge lawsuit against Terre Haute
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that alleged the city of Terre Haute and its officials defaulted on an agreement to take out water from waste and use the sludge to make fuel.
Appraiser has no duty of care to real estate seller
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled an appraiser has no duty of care to a seller after he appraised a house for much less than the proposed purchase price. The COA upheld summary judgment for the appraiser in a case where the seller alleged negligence, fraud and slander of title.
Justices give win to Internet site in false data case
The Supreme Court says an Internet search site that posted false information about people can be sued only if the errors caused actual harm.
Civil trial over Colorado theater shooting security begins
Nine months after the Colorado theater shooter was sentenced to life in prison, some victims returned to the same courtroom Monday in hopes of holding the company that owns the suburban Denver movie theater accountable for not doing more to prevent his bloody rampage.
Appellate pleadings and motions going online pushed to July 1
In its third meeting, the Advisory Task Force on Remote Access to and Privacy of Electronic Court Records shifted discussion to what types of trial court cases should be made available online at mycase.in.gov and any potential issues in doing so.
7th Circuit: Company responsible for debts
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a company and its principals need to pay more than $3.5 million to a company it bought supplies from, even though the purchaser accused the seller of price-gouging.
Ball State police still face excessive force lawsuit
A federal judge’s recent ruling means Ball State University will have to settle or defend itself at trial in a two-year-old civil rights lawsuit filed by a hip-hop artist.
COA clarifies confusion around judicial admissions
The Indiana Court of Appeals noted in its decision Thursday in a medical malpractice lawsuit that the line of authority that has developed on judicial admissions is based on an error made in a 1990 case. The judges used their opinion to affirm the jury verdict in favor of the defendant doctor and to clarify that judicial admissions are conclusive and binding.
Judge clears ‘Stairway to Heaven’ copyright case for trial
A trial is needed to determine if Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” copies its opening notes from a song performed by the rock band Spirit, a federal judge has ruled.
Indiana trooper fired for proselytizing on duty to motorist
The Indiana State Police fired a trooper who is facing a second lawsuit accusing him of preaching to citizens while on duty, saying Thursday he disobeyed a written order to stop the practice.
Motor vehicle accident: Noblesville collision
Trial Reports: Reports on recent Indiana cases from the lawyers and judges involved. Submit a trial report at http://www.theindianalawyer.com/submit-trial-reports. Motor vehicle accident Name of Case: Patricia Acker and Peter Acker v. Keyna Sanders Court Case Number: Hamilton Superior Court, 29D01-1305-CT-04836 Injuries: Chronic neck and back pain Court Date: Jan. 25-27, 2016 Trial Type: Jury trial […]
Chargemaster rates questioned
A divided Court of Appeals ruling allowing a patient to view hospital prices may be headed to the Indiana Supreme Court.