Court opinions

Indiana Court of Appeals
Kennic T. Brown v. State of Indiana
20A-CR-2261
Criminal. Affirms the denial of Kennic Brown’s motion to dismiss his charge of Level 6 felony battery against a public safety officer. Finds the disciplinary action taken by the Indiana Department of Correction against Brown for his conduct violation does not preclude the state’s criminal prosecution of him for the same act. Also finds Brown’s motion to dismiss the criminal charge against him on double jeopardy grounds was correctly denied.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Thomas D. Hunter v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
20A-PC-1293
Post-conviction. Affirms the denial of Thomas Hunter’s petition for post-conviction relief following his guilty plea to felony murder. Finds Hunter failed to prove he was denied due process based on an alleged Brady violation or that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel.

Indiana Supreme Court
State of Indiana v. Justin Jones
21S-CR-50
Criminal. Reverses an order requiring a confidential informant in Justin Jones’ case to have a face-to-face interview with opposing counsel. Finds that an informant’s identity is inherently revealed through their physical appearance at a face-to-face interview. Also finds that when a defendant requests such an interview, the state has met its threshold burden to show the informer’s privilege applies. Finally, finds the Marion Superior Court did not apply the established balancing test before ordering disclosure. Remands.

Indiana Court of Appeals
David K. and Jane A. Burton, et al. v. Board of Zoning Appeals of Madison County, and Lone Oak Solar, LLC
20A-MI-2186
Miscellaneous. Affirms the denial of neighbors David and Jane Burton, Bob and Jean Mills, Curtis and Rebecca Harrison, Kara and Richard Brown, Ross and Katrina Hunter, Joshua Hiday, John Doe and Jane Doe’s petition for judicial review in favor of the Board of Zoning Appeals of Madison County and Lone Oak Solar Energy LLC. Finds the votes of BZA members Mary Jane Baker and Beth VanSickle in favor of Lone Oak were valid and that there was substantial evidence to support Lone Oak’s special use applications and setback variances.

Opinions June 18, 2021 Indiana Court of Appeals A.C. James, Jr. v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) 19A-PC-2311 Post-conviction. Affirms the denial of A.C. James Jr.’s petition for post-conviction relief. Finds the errors he alleged do not amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. Marq Hall v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) 19A-PC-2919 Post-conviction. Affirms the […]