Court opinions

Indiana Court of Appeals
Richard D. Moseley and Lisa M. Moseley v. Trustees of Larkin Baptist Church and the Larkin Baptist Church, an unincorporated association
20A-PL-98
Civil plenary. Affirms the Spencer Circuit Court’s order granting summary judgment for the Trustees of Larkin Baptist Church and the Larkin Baptist Church on Richard and Lisa Moseleys’ adverse possession counterclaim in the church’s action to quiet title. Finds that the Moseleys did not designate evidence sufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact. Also finds that the trial court did not err.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Indiana Family Institute Inc., et al. v. City of Carmel, et al.
19A-MI-2991
Miscellaneous. Affirms the grant of summary judgment to the cities of Bloomington, Carmel, Columbus and Indianapolis on the complaint brought by the Indiana Family Institute, Indiana Family Action and the American Family Association challenging the “fix” to the 2015 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Hamilton Superior Court’s denial of a motion for judicial notice. Finds the plaintiff-appellants have not demonstrated that nondiscrimination ordinances in the defendant cities have interfered with or chilled their First Amendment rights. Also finds they are not facing the threat of an impending injury or a substantial risk of harm from the nondiscrimination ordinances. Declines to address the appellants’ arguments regarding judicial review.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Michael and Mary Poore, Individually and on Behalf of J.P. v. Indianapolis Public Schools and its Board of Education
19A-CT-1439
Civil tort. Affirms in part the Marion Superior Court’s judgment in favor of Indianapolis Public schools and its Board of Education on Michael and Mary Poores’ claims for breach of contract, negligence, and violation of the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act when IPS refused to pay for their child’s advanced math class taken outside of the IPS system. Holds that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by excluding the testimony of a certain witness; IPS was not negligent because IPS did not deny J.P. the benefit of early college credits; and no valid, enforceable contract existed between IPS and the Poores requiring IPS to pay for the class. Reverses the conclusion on the DCSA and holds that IPS was not subject to the statutory requirements of the DCSA.

Indiana Supreme Court
Patrick Humphrey v. Brian Tuck, US Xpress, Inc.
20S-CT-548
Civil tort. Grants transfer and affirms the Jackson Superior Court’s entry of judgment on a jury’s $40,000 damages verdict in favor of Patrick Humphrey, and the trial court’s denial of Humphrey’s motion to correct error. Finds there was enough evidence to support giving the challenged failure-to-mitigate jury instruction.

The following 7th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion was posted after IL deadline Thursday.
Yeison Meza Morales v. William Barr
19-1999
Civil. Amends the June 26 opinion in this immigration case reversing the removal order for Yeison Meza Morales and expanding the authority of immigration judges to administratively close cases when warranted. Adds one sentence to a footnote on page 13 of the June 26 opinion expressing no view on whether the government might be precluded from contesting the nonfinal waiver of an immigrant’s inadmissibility. Affirms the June 26 opinion in all other respects. Denies the government’s motion for rehearing in a separate order.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration; Jennifer Walthall, in Individual Capacity as Secretary of Indiana Family and Social Services, et al. v. Bonnie K. Anderson, et al.
19A-PL-3039
Civil plenary. Affirms in part and reverses in part the Bartholomew Superior Court’s denial of a motion to dismiss Bonnie Anderson’s petition for judicial review and complaint for damages brought by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration; Jennifer Walthall, the Secretary of FSSA; and the Bartholomew County Division of Family Resources. Finds the trial court did not err by denying FSSA’s motion to dismiss Anderson’s petition for judicial review, but finds it was error for the court to deny FSSA’s motion to dismiss Anderson’s complaint for damages.

The Estate of Sandra King by Special Administrator Marie Briggs v. Aperion Care d/b/a Aperion Care Tolleston Park and Steve Robertson, Insurance Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Insurance
19A-MI-3037
Miscellaneous. Reverses the Lake Superior Court’s denial of the estate of Sandra King’s motion to compel arbitration. Finds the trial court erred in its denial and remands with instructions for the trial court to enter an order granting the estate’s motion to compel.