Indiana man accused of stealing, selling railroad bridge
He asked, they told him no, but he did it anyway, authorities say, accusing a scrap-metal dealer of taking apart an abandoned railroad bridge and selling the metal for $18,000.
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Court upholds Indianapolis Land Bank fraud convictions
Two men convicted in an elaborate fraud scheme involving the Indianapolis Land Bank have lost their federal appeal, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Friday there was sufficient evidence to support their multiple fraud convictions.
Supreme Court to hear legal malpractice, marijuana cases
The fate of a legal malpractice claim will be decided by the Indiana Supreme Court next week after the justices hear oral arguments to decide whether the claim can continue. Justices also will hear a case challenging the probable cause that led to a man’s conviction after discovery of a marijuana grow.
Magistrate judge slams ‘troubling trend’: lawyers ignoring orders
Note to lawyers with cases in the Southern District of Indiana: don’t give the overworked judicial officers cause to call you out for missing deadlines or shrugging off orders. Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker did just that in a blistering two-page order issued Friday.
Mueller estimates 3-week trial for Manafort, Gates
Court documents show Special Counsel Robert Mueller thinks it will take three weeks to present a case against ex-Trump campaign officials Paul Manafort and Rick Gates.
Suit: Military defense counsel detained for excusing attorney Kammen
Accused terrorist Abd al-Rahim Hussein al-Nashiri has asked a federal court to stop his criminal proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, claiming the federal government is denying his right to qualified counsel during a death penalty case. The suit alleges his lead defender in his military trial at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has been sentenced to to 21 days of confinement.
Woman’s health care fraud, ID misuse convictions upheld
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a woman’s convictions for health care fraud and misusing an identity. The panel determined the district court properly handed down indictments and admitted evidence to allow the government to prove the woman was involved in a plan to defraud Indiana’s Medicaid program.
Barrett confirmation highlights fierce fight over judiciary
The controversy surrounding Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals did not end with the Senate’s confirmation vote Oct. 31.
Supreme Court affirms Land Rover forfeiture in drug case
The state of Indiana can move forward with its plan to seize a Land Rover worth more than $40,000 from a convicted heroin dealer after the Indiana Supreme Court ruled the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause does not bar the state from making such a forfeiture.
Due in court, Manafort attacks Russia probe indictment
Accused of multiple financial crimes, President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman on Thursday attacked the strength of the evidence against him, saying the case brought by special counsel Robert Mueller is “embellished.”
Former town marshal gets 50 years in wife’s murder
A central Indiana judge has given a 50-year prison sentence to a former deputy town marshal in the death of his wife who was shot with his police weapon.
Barnes partner Sweeney nominated for Southern District judgeship
President Donald Trump has nominated Barnes & Thornburg partner James Sweeney II for a judgeship on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
COA affirms authority given to community corrections directors
A state statute allowing community corrections program directors to recommend the revocation of an offender’s placement is not unconstitutional because it does not infringe upon the power of the judicial branch, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled in a decision upholding a Vigo County revocation decision.
COA applies amended wage statute retroactively
A man failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that a change in the Wage Payment Statute that occurred during his employment should not be applied retroactively.
Supreme Court adopts new rules for e-filing wills, proof of debt
As the push for mandatory electronic filing continues in Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court has established new rules on how to handle original wills when an estate case is opened electronically.
Lawsuit targets Trump’s rollback of birth-control rule
Two national advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit in Indiana on Tuesday challenging a rule change by President Donald Trump's administration allowing more employers to opt out of no-cost birth control for workers.
COA grants summary judgment to contractors protected by subrogation waiver
An insurance company cannot seek reimbursement from two contractors on a claim it paid on behalf of its insured because the insured’s contract with the contractors contained a subrogation waiver that bars the insurer’s negligence claim, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Young, Donnelly support confirmation of Barrett to 7th Circuit
Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett is expected to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate either today or early tomorrow morning to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals with the support of both Indiana senators.
RV-delivery driver rightly qualified for unemployment, COA affirms
A woman who provided “driveaway” services delivering recreational vehicles from manufacturers to dealerships was rightly classified as an employee entitled to unemployment insurance after her job ended, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.
COA upholds prohibition on TV broadcast of court audio
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a trial court ruling that prohibited a Fort Wayne TV station from broadcasting audio from a sentencing hearing it obtained through a public records request, finding the trial court’s ruling complied with both local rules and the First Amendment.