SCOTUS: Alaska moose-hunter can ‘rev up’ hovercraft
The National Park Service improperly banned an Alaska moose hunter from using a hovercraft on a river through a national preserve, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in a unanimous decision.
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Supreme Court tosses $315M award in USS Cole lawsuit
The Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out a nearly $315 million judgment against Sudan stemming from the USS Cole bombing, saying Sudan hadn’t properly been notified of the lawsuit.
Indiana House advances hate crimes bill that has mixed support
The Indiana House on Tuesday approved a hate crimes bill that is receiving mixed support from the business community, with nine Republicans joining all of the Democrats who voted against the measure.
House Republicans endorse hate crimes language that pleases governor, but not biz groups
Indiana House Republicans approved hate crimes language Monday that references a list of victims against whom crimes could qualify for harsher penalties — a move lauded by Gov. Eric Holcomb but criticized by two coalitions of businesses and not-for-profits seeking a broader list.
Revenge porn civil remedy bill advances in Senate
Although a measure that would offer civil remedies to revenge porn victims easily passed a Senate Judiciary committee Monday, questions were raised as to whether parents of teen victims could take action against the perpetrator’s parents to gain relief.
COA affirms commitment for woman with suicidal ideations
An Indiana appellate panel affirmed the commitment and forced-medication order of a woman found to be a danger to herself, finding there was clear and convincing evidence to support both orders despite her contentions otherwise.
Suspended attorney to serve 6 months for bankruptcy fraud, embezzlement
A suspended Fort Wayne attorney will serve six months in jail and has been ordered to pay nearly $240,000 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement and tax fraud charges stemming from personal and client bankruptcy proceedings.
Founders, employees of Westfield financial firm accused of $10M fraud
The founders and three other former officers and employees of Westfield-based Banc-serv Partners LLP have been indicted in connection with what federal prosecutors describe as a 13-year-long conspiracy to defraud the Small Business Administration.
Gun rights groups ask Supreme Court to halt bump stock ban
Gun rights groups are asking the United States Supreme Court to stop the Trump administration from beginning to enforce its ban on bump stock devices, which allow semi-automatic weapons to fire like machine guns.
Trump says investigation abused him, led to ‘evil things’
House Democrats pressed the Justice Department to provide the full report from special counsel Robert Mueller even as Republicans gleefully called for them to move on from the Russia investigation. President Donald Trump accused those responsible for launching Mueller’s probe of “treasonous things against our country” and said they “certainly will be looked into.”
Second Roncalli counselor loses job over same-sex marriage
A second guidance counselor at an Indianapolis Catholic high school will lose her job because she’s in a same-sex marriage.
Indianapolis officials go to market to sell $600M in justice center bonds
Representatives from the city of Indianapolis were in New York City on Thursday selling more than $600 million worth of bonds to investors to fund the new criminal justice center — a milestone in the giant public project.
Lawsuits by 3 men allege sex abuse by former Indiana priest
Three men are suing the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, alleging that a priest molested them as children and that the diocese covered up the abuse.
A more skeptical high court to hear redistricting challenge
Last year, proponents of limiting partisan politics in the creation of electoral districts needed to win over Justice Anthony Kennedy. They couldn’t.
Mueller finds no Trump collusion, leaves obstruction open
Special counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence President Donald Trump’s campaign “conspired or coordinated” with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election but reached no conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. That brought a hearty claim of vindication from Trump but set the stage for new rounds of political and legal fighting.
Lawsuit: St. Joseph County sheriff’s office negligent in inmate death
A federal lawsuit accuses a northern Indiana sheriff’s department of negligence after an inmate who allegedly was suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms killed himself.
Parents suing Bartholomew County campground, police in child molestation case
The parents of a boy allegedly molested by a reserve sheriff’s deputy at a southern Indiana campground are suing the campground, police and their reserve program. The lawsuit alleges Larry L. Scott molested a 12-year-old boy while volunteering as a night-time security supervisor at Ceraland Park and Campground.
Hill, Disciplinary Commission spar over hearing officer appointment
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is hitting back at the lawyer ethics charges filed against him this week, arguing the judicial branch is wading into political waters by possibly disciplining him for allegations of groping four women — claims he says were “unrelated to the practice of law.”
COA: Officer peeking in window acted as Girl Scout would
A man with drug-related convictions failed to sway an appellate court that his rights against illegal search and seizure were violated when an officer peeked through his window before arresting him. The Indiana Court of Appeals concluded the officer acted no differently than a Girl Scout in approaching the man’s door.
Elkhart officers indicted for beating handcuffed suspect
Two Elkhart police officers who are alleged to have repeatedly punched a handcuffed man were indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Hammond for using excessive force against an arrestee.