Virginia Supreme Court clears Indiana man in 1975 rape
The Supreme Court of Virginia has cleared an Indiana man in the 1975 rape of a Virginia woman, issuing a writ of actual innocence Thursday based on DNA evidence.
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Rent-to-buy contract argued before Indiana Supreme Court
A dispute that could have a far-reaching impact on the sizable rent-to-own housing market in the Hoosier state was presented to the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday morning with attorneys arguing over the nature of the rent-to-own contract.
COA to travel for three arguments next week
Three Appeals on Wheels oral arguments will be heard next week, involving wrongful termination of a hospital employee, suppression of evidence from a pat-down search and a hotel’s appeal of granted possession.
Ex-Trump campaign boss Manafort to be sentenced in tax fraud
When former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is sentenced for tax and bank fraud , U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III will likely issue the same lecture he gives to drug dealers and bank robbers.
Statehouse considering two abortion bills while court challenges loom
With petitions still pending at the U.S. Supreme Court over Indiana’s 2016 abortion law, two new anti-abortion bills are moving through the Statehouse and at least one, if it becomes law, could drag the state back into court for a new battle.
Bills targeting revenge porn advancing in Statehouse
In the past year, attorney Alex Beeman has received some 36 calls from individuals impacted by revenge porn. That adds up to at least three requests per month asking how they can navigate a potentially life-altering situation.
Bills for new Howard, Tippecanoe judicial officers advance
Two of four House measures in the Senate that would bring judicial relief to some Indiana counties were given the go-ahead to proceed Wednesday, but two other bills have yet to move forward.
Easement allows surrounding properties access, COA rules
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court order determining that a mulch business could have access to an easement owned by a neighboring property, finding that the easement was for the benefit of all surrounding properties.
Judge sanctions lawyer, ex-DOC nurse in inmate abuse case
After declaring her trust in the statements submitted by defendants in prisoner litigation cases “shattered,” a federal judge imposed sanctions — some as as severe as default judgment — on a former prison nurse and her attorney accused of misconduct as serious as perjury.
Judgment awarded to Southport, police officials in legal feud with city councilwoman
The curtains have closed, at least for now, on a longstanding political battle between Southport law enforcement, a city council member and her ex-boyfriend now that a district court has awarded judgment in favor of the city, its police chief and a former detective on their motions for summary judgment on the council members remaining claims.
Appeals court allows class action against Mishawaka car dealer to continue
A Mishawaka car dealership failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that it was wrongly denied its motion to dismiss a class action complaint from several angry customers after the panel found general allegations of uncured and incurable acts against the dealership were enough for dismissal.
Ex-husband’s due process rights not violated by invasion of privacy statute
A man who argued his constitutional right to have an intimate relationship with his ex-wife had been violated was denied an appeal of his invasion of privacy conviction when the Indiana Court of Appeals found the privacy statute did not directly interfere with his fundamental rights.
COA upholds TPR ruling after parents’ continued substance abuse
Parents arguing the termination of their parental rights was not in the best interest of their minor child lost their argument when the Indiana Court of Appeals found their ongoing substance abuse issues had not improved over time.
Former Elkhart sheriff captain charged with false informing
Prosecutors charged 49-year-old James Bradberry on Tuesday with three counts of false informing. Prosecutors allege the former captain concealed information about Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department employees who are accused of collecting $45,000 for hours they didn’t work between 2014 and 2017.
Indianapolis woman faces charges after 2-month-old’s death
Indianapolis police say a 36-year-old woman faces preliminary neglect charges after her 2-month-old daughter died. Police said Wednesday that officers performing a welfare check found Rachel McAfee and her baby, Emma McAfee, in a vehicle Tuesday afternoon, and the baby was pronounced dead at the scene.
Majority justices grant PCR to ‘Dreamer;’ dissent calls ruling ‘bridge too far’
A Mexican immigrant who was living in the United States under the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals policy and who was deported after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges has won relief from the Indiana Supreme Court, which overturned the denial of post-conviction relief in a divided opinion Tuesday.
Justices grant transfer in 2 cases, deny legal malpractice case
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to consider two cases involving seized cash and an extended protective order while also denying transfer to a legal malpractice case resolved in favor of a Bloomington attorney.
Waived appellate rights enforceable despite unusual waiver language, 7th Circuit rules
A man who explicitly waived his right to appeal his decade-long sentence was denied his appeal of that sentence Monday when the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined the waiver of his appellate rights was valid despite the “unusual” language of his plea agreement.
Vanderburgh County man gets 150 years for killing wife, shooting daughters
A southwestern Indiana man convicted of killing his wife and shooting his adult twin daughters has been sentenced to 150 years in prison. Clinton Loehrlein learned his sentence Monday after a Vanderburgh County jury last year found the Darmstadt man guilty of murder in the January 2017 slaying of 52-year-old Sherry Loehrlein, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery and misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.
Web exclusive: Maurer 1L judicial clerkships offer legal aid to rural judges
Five first-year law students from Indiana University Maurer School of Law who are interested in careers in public service have been selected and paired with Indiana trial court judges who preside in smaller communities — specifically, Orange, Putnam, Vigo, Washington and White counties. The pilot’s ultimate goal: offering law students an opportunity to experience real-life practice in smaller communities while assisting Hoosier judges who might be overlooked by students who want to clerk in larger urban areas.