Court opinions

Indiana Court of Appeals
In the Matter of the Guardianship of Donnell Lee Roberts, an Adult (now deceased), James Wesley Frady v. Patrick Hart
20A-GU-1837
Guardianship. Affirms the Hancock Superior Court’s denial of James Frady’s petition to exercise estate planning over the Estate of Donnell Roberts but reverses the trial court’s decision to sustain the state’s objection to Frady depositing a check as instructed after Roberts’ death. Finds that after termination of guardianship, Indiana Code § 29-3-12-1(e) permitted Frady to deposit a check as instructed. Also finds the trial court was not required to hold a hearing regarding estate planning before dismissing the petitions.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Blind Hunting Club, LLC and Brian Lane v. David Martini and Theresa Farrell
20A-PL-1868
Civil plenary. Affirms the grant of summary judgment to David Martini and Theresa Farrell on their complaint for declaratory judgment against Blind Hunting Club LLC and Brian Lane regarding the scope of an easement. Finds the agreement as a whole and the parties’ course of conduct demonstrate that BHC can use the easement either to access the property for a farm purpose and/or to access no more than two residences. Also finds BHC’s fee-based hunting operation is not a “farm” and is therefore not permitted by the agreement. Finally, finds the Dearborn Circuit Court did not err when it concluded that a fee-based hunting operation is not a business contemplated by the easement.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Paul Poppe and Susan Poppe v. Angell Enterprises, Inc.
20A-CT-2211
Civil tort. Affirms the grant of summary judgment to Angell Enterprises Inc. on Paul and Susan Poppe’s negligence complaint. Finds Angell had no duty to protect the Poppes from being struck by an intoxicated driver. Also finds the Sullivan Superior Court did not err when it entered summary judgment for Angell.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Michael D. Wayne Fleming, III v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
20A-CR-935
Criminal. Affirms Michael Fleming III’s aggregate 85-year sentence for felony murder and Level 1 felony attempted murder. Finds the Madison Circuit Court did not abuse its sentencing discretion. Also finds Fleming’s sentence is not inappropriate in light of the nature of his offenses and his character.

The following 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion was posted after IL deadline Wednesday:
Deborah M. v. Andrew M. Saul, Commissioner of Social Security
20-2570
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division. Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker.
Civil. Affirms the denial of Deborah M.’s request for a remand of an administrative law judge’s determination that she has the capacity to perform light work and thus is not entitled to Social Security disability benefits. Finds the ALJ did not ignore a line of evidence contradicting her decision, her assessment of plaintiff’s symptoms was not patently wrong and she did not fail to note any supported manipulative limitations. Also finds the ALJ’s decision was supported by substantial evidence.

The following 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion was posted after IL deadline Tuesday:
Roderick V. Lewis v. Dushan Zatecky
20-1642
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division. Judge Richard L. Young.
Civil. Reverses the denial of Roderick Lewis’ petition for writ of habeas corpus. Finds the decision of the last responsible state court was contrary to U.S. Supreme Court precedent, insofar as it held that Strickland, not Cronic, furnished the applicable rule, and it was an unreasonable application of Cronic, insofar as it focused on that case. Remands for the issuance of the writ, limited to resentencing. Judge Michael Brennan dissents with separate opinion.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Randy C. Axelrod, M.D. v. Anthem, Inc. and all of its affiliates, WellPoint, Inc., and Amgen, Inc.
19A-PL-1171
Civil plenary. Affirms the denial of Randy C. Axelrod’s motions for a mistrial or a new trial after a jury returned a verdict in favor of Anthem Inc. and all of its affiliates, WellPoint Inc. and Amgen Inc. Finds the Marion Superior Court did not misapply Indiana Trial Rule 60(B)(3). 

Indiana Court of Appeals
Jeffrey Archer v. State of Indiana
20A-CR-1677
Criminal. Reverses the grant of the state’s motion to quash Jeffrey Archer’s notice of deposition. Finds the state did not meet its showing of a paramount interest in non-disclosure under the Dillard test, so the Marion Superior Court abused its discretion by quashing the subpoena for L.B.’s deposition. Remands for proceedings.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Tanika Stewart v. State of Indiana
20A-CR-1809
Criminal. Affirms Tanika Stewart’s felony murder conviction. Finds Stewart’s challenge to the admission of State’s Exhibit 34, video surveillance footage, is waived, and the Vanderburgh Circuit Court did not abuse its discretion in admitting State’s Exhibits 43 through 45, also video footage, due to their quality. Also finds any error in the exclusion of witness Antonio Bushrod’s statements was harmless. Finally, finds the state presented sufficient evidence to rebut Stewart’s self-defense claim.