St. John man charged in Illinois woman’s hit-and-run death
A northwestern Indiana man has been charged in the hit-and-run death of a suburban Chicago woman.
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Judge’s rebuke of Flynn upends sentencing, prolongs case
A federal judge who described himself as disgusted by Michael Flynn’s behavior upended a straightforward sentencing hearing Tuesday, postponing punishment for President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser and telling him in a stinging rebuke, “Arguably you sold your country out.”
Trump says he’s eager to sign sweeping criminal justice bill
The Senate passed a sweeping criminal justice bill Tuesday that addresses concerns that the nation’s war on drugs had led to the imprisonment of too many Americans for nonviolent crimes without adequately preparing them for their return to society.
Questions in med-mal case bring 7th Circuit reversal
A Fort Wayne medical malpractice insurance company got a reprieve from having to cover a multi-million verdict in a wrongful death lawsuit after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the grant of summary judgment, finding too many questions are unanswered.
Wrongful death suit reinstated in IPS student’s murder
The Indiana Court of Appeals reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit against Indianapolis Public Schools when it found genuine issues of material fact as to Arlington Community High School’s duty to supervise its students after a teen’s murder nearby.
Indiana attorney charged with mail fraud still at large
Federal authorities are still searching for a former South Bend attorney who faces several charges of mail fraud stemming from his alleged involvement in an investment scheme that exploited elderly victims.
COA: Negligence claim rightly denied in fatal heart attack wreck
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment to a man’s estate in a negligence lawsuit, finding his incapacity to drive due to a heart attack was not reasonably foreseeable.
Lawyer facing jail time for forgery, counterfeiting
A northern Indiana lawyer could be sentenced to nearly two years in jail after she pleaded guilty Tuesday to forging a judge’s name on a phony divorce decree and sending a bogus email bearing a deputy prosecutor’s name. Jill N. Holtzclaw of Decatur pleaded guilty to Level 6 felony counts of forgery and counterfeiting Tuesday in Adams Superior Court.
AG Hill in minority praising ruling against ACA mandate
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill spent Monday morning on cable television news channels applauding a federal court’s ruling that found the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, but Republican leaders in Indiana remained silent.
15-month prison term for Porter Co. cop who stole from police group
The former treasurer of a Valparaiso police organization has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing nearly $190,000. Lawrence LaFlower told a federal judge Monday that “everything revolved around gambling,” which is why he began embezzling money from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 165 in Valparaiso.
S. Indiana man hears charges in chase that killed Charlestown officer
Benjamin Eads of Freedom appeared in court Monday in Scott County on charges including auto theft and resisting law enforcement, which led to a death. Authorities say Eads fled a traffic stop on Dec. 12, triggering a police chase during which Charlestown Officer Benton Bertram’s vehicle struck a tree. Bertram was pronounced dead at the scene.
ILAS pushing harder on holiday campaign
The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society has again kicked off its annual holiday campaign, the nonprofit’s major fundraiser that has undergone many tweaks and alterations in recent years but remains the primary source for unrestricted dollars.
Applicants sought to replace Lake Superior Judge Schneider
A Lake Superior Court judge will retire early next year, prompting the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission to begin the process of selecting her replacement.
Justices appoint judge pro tem in Scott Circuit Court
Scott Circuit Court Judge Jason M. Mount will temporarily step down from his seat on the bench after informing the court he would be unable to perform the duties of his office, a Friday order of the Indiana Supreme Court announced.
Attorney charged with forgery gets fifth suspension of 2018
A northern Indiana attorney charged with felony forgery of a judge’s signature received her fifth suspension of the year for failure to cooperate with another Disciplinary Commission investigation of a grievance against her. Four of the suspensions remain active.
Female Gary principal loses sex discrimination appeal
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment to northern Indiana school corporation when it found a female principal was not discriminated against based on her sex when a male candidate got the job she applied for.
Anderson Wigwam owners lose bid in Tax Court
The company which now owns the storied Anderson High School arena, known as the Wigwam, failed to convince the Indiana Tax Court it is entitled to an injunction against the collection of property taxes based on a valuation of more than $2 million.
Man who failed to disclose property interest must divide mother’s estate with ex-wife
A woman who learned after the divorce was final that her estranged husband did not disclose his interest in his mother’s estate has gotten relief from the Indiana Court of Appeals, which found the man “made a mockery of the discovery process.”
Erroneous admission of evidence of prior bad act was harmless, COA says
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the admission of evidence in a Wabash County case after finding that despite a trial court’s erroneous admission of evidence of a prior bad act, such an error was harmless.
On remand, divided COA again allows modification of fixed-plea sentence
A divided Indiana Court of Appeals has once again reversed a trial court ruling holding that a man sentenced pursuant to a fixed plea agreement could not seek a sentence modification, with the appellate court finding instead on remand that statutory amendments to laws governing fixed pleas are not applicable in this case.