Articles

Drug dealer’s appeal fails to show prosecutorial misconduct

A prosecutor’s suggestion to jurors during closing arguments that the volume of fentanyl in a habitual drug dealer’s possession had the potential to kill thousands of people did not constitute fundamental error. The Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday rejected that and other arguments of a man convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

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Opinions Aug. 15, 2019

Indiana Court of Appeals
John Laboa v. State of Indiana
18A-CR-00951
Criminal. Finds the Floyd Superior Court erred in the procedure it used to dispose of John Laboa’s petition for post-conviction relief. Finds the trial court’s judgment was not decided as provided by the post-conviction rules. Remands with instructions to either order the cause to be submitted by affidavit, allowing Laboa time to gather and submit affidavits he feels are relevant to his allegations, or hold an evidentiary hearing.

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COA: Court disregarded procedures in PCR case

The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a man’s denied petition for relief from what he alleged as conspiracy to wrongfully convict and confine him, among other things, after finding a post-conviction court erred in the procedure it used to dispose of his petition.

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Receiver for million-dollar Corvette affirmed but bond required

Long-running litigation over the fate of a legendary Corvette racecar appears slightly closer to the finish line, as an appeals court Thursday gave the green flag to a receivership appointed to sell the car. However, the appellate panel instructed the trial court to require the receiver be bonded as required by law.

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Opinions Aug. 14, 2019

The following 7th Circuit Court of Appeals opinions were posted after IL Deadline Tuesday.
Dustin Higgs v. United States Park Police
18-2826, 18-2937
Appeals from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Terre Haute Division. Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson.
Civil. Finds the Southern District Court erred in finding that the public interest prevailed over the privacy interests of the individuals involved in evidence for Dustin Higgs’ murder of three women and should have refused disclosure of those documents pursuant to Freedom of Information Act Exemptions 6 and 7(C). Affirms that certain documents were properly withheld under FOIA Exemption 7(D).

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7th Circuit rules against inmate’s FOIA requests in triple-murder

A Southern District Court judge’s order that the federal government disclose personal information stemming from a triple murder it had previously refused to turn over has been reversed. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found that public interest does not support the information’s disclosure, simultaneously affirming that certain documents were protected by an exception of the Freedom of Information Act.

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