Counties ask study committee for more judicial help, courts
Rising caseloads and crowded jails are prompting five Indiana counties, to date, to request more magistrates and courts.
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White House gives FBI freer rein in Kavanaugh investigation
The White House has given the FBI clearance to interview anyone it wants to by Friday in its investigation of sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The new guidance was issued to the FBI over the weekend in response to Democratic and news media pushback that the scope of the probe was too narrow.
Trials adding up for West Virginia Supreme Court justices
The federal trial of a suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice is starting a day after a colleague’s impeachment trial began in the state Senate. Jury selection is set to get under way Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Charleston for Justice Allen Loughry, while an impeachment trial against Justice Beth Walker begins its second day on Tuesday.
Muncie man gets 101 years after trying to kill ex with bomb
A Muncie man who tried to kill his former girlfriend with a homemade bomb has been sentenced to 101 years in prison. Lionel Ray Mackey, Jr. received a maximum sentence Monday from Delaware Circuit Judge Linda Ralu Wolf on convictions from two separate trials.
Indiana justices accept another NIPSCO case
The Indiana Supreme Court has accepted transfer of another dispute over utility rates where the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is a defendant.
COA reverses default ruling against race horse veterinarian
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a decision that found a Hoosier racehorse veterinarian in default without a hearing in a disciplinary action against him by Indiana Horse Racing Commission.
Three finalists chosen for Allen County judgeship
A magistrate and two attorneys have been selected as finalists to succeed Allen Superior Judge Stanley A. Levine, who will retire in December.
Judge pro tem appointed to replace Lake Superior Judge Villalpando
A judge pro tempore has been appointed to perform the duties of Lake Superior Court judge Jesse M. Villalpando, whose name was recently removed from the Nov. 6 general election ballot. A Friday order announced the Lake Superior Court judge will take leave from the bench beginning today and will remain on leave for the duration of his elected term, while attorney Stephen A. Tyler will serve in his place as judge pro tem.
Supreme Court term starts in shadow of Kavanaugh
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court will begin its new term with the crack of the marshal’s gavel and not a camera in sight. The term’s start has been completely overshadowed by the tumult over Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the high court.
Donnelly won’t support Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination
Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly from Indiana says Brett Kavanaugh won’t get his vote for confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. Donnelly said Friday that sexual assault allegations against President Donald Trump’s nominee are “disturbing and credible.”
Former Rochester school nurse gets probation for stealing medication
A former middle school nurse has been sentenced to probation for stealing students’ medication at the northern Indiana school. A Fulton County judge recently sentenced 35-year-old Ashley N. Beck to 180 days of probation.
Justice center move will bring changes to 2 neighborhoods
The $572 million Criminal Justice Center won’t open until 2022, at which time scores of city and county employees—working for the courts, public defender, prosecutor, sheriff and other agencies—will move from downtown’s Market East Cultural District 2 ½ miles east to the Twin Aire neighborhood. But city officials and businesses are already thinking about how both neighborhoods will be changed by the shift.
COA affirms denial of summary judgment to dump truck manufacturer in timeliness dispute
A divided Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of summary judgment to a dump truck manufacturer who unsuccessfully argued that its customer filed an untimely complaint against the manufacturer and that genuine issues of material fact existed when causes of action accrued.
GOP advances Kavanaugh after Flake calls for FBI probe
After a flurry of last-minute negotiations, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination for the Supreme Court after agreeing to a late call from Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona for a one-week investigation into sexual assault allegations against the high court nominee.
COA orders equal division of ex’s retirement interest
The Dearborn Circuit Court erred when it awarded the entirety of a nearly $207,000 retirement account to a husband as part of divorce proceedings, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in a decision that remanded the case for equal distribution of the interest on the account.
Appellate court: Search warrant for house, garage included car
Drug evidence found in a vehicle in the garage of a home where police were looking for evidence of a prior assault should not have been suppressed, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in a reversal Friday.
COA upholds $78 million for state in IBM suit, awards IBM interest
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a $78 million judgment in favor of the state and against IBM Corp. that was awarded as part of a long-running legal battle stemming from IBM’s breach of a contract to redesign the state’s welfare system in 2006. But the court also ordered the state to pay post-judgment interest to IBM on a $49.5 million damages award it previously received, overturning a lower court ruling on that issue.
Gun in fallen pants pocket after police confrontation admissible
A man whose 9-mm handgun was discovered after his loose-fitting pants fell while in custody after a police confrontation lost Friday his appeal in which he claimed the evidence should have been suppressed.
Troopers must face suit from black motorists stopped 2 hours
A lawsuit against Indiana State Police troopers accused of unreasonably questioning two black motorists for more than two hours on the side of an interstate will continue after a federal judge rejected the troopers’ qualified immunity claims.
Ex-Bunker Hill marshal pleads guilty to obstruction of justice
An ex-northern Indiana town marshal who authorities say provided false police credentials for an acquaintance so the person could be paid more while working as a security guard has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. Aaron Dague of Wabash entered the plea Thursday under a deal with prosecutors, was sentenced to one year of probation and can no longer work in law enforcement.