2 face life sentences in Newton County slayings
Prosecutors intend to seek sentences of life without parole for two 24-year-old men facing murder, theft and other charges in the slayings of three people in northwestern Indiana.
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Court abused discretion in letting public defender withdraw appearance
An attorney seeking a motion to withdraw appearance had to prove there was justification for his withdrawal and provide sufficient notice to the party he represented before the motion could be granted, the Indiana Court of Appeals found Thursday.
Forest Alliance sues to stop Crown Hill cemetery project
The controversy over the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ plans to develop a military cemetery with a series of above-ground columbariums on 15 wooded acres north of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis has ended up in court.
COA holds public trust rights rule along lakeshore
When a private property owner’s land deed overlaps with that of the public trust along Lake Michigan, the rights to the shore are controlled by the common law public trust doctrine, the Indiana Court of Appeals found Wednesday in a landmark decision that prevents private property owners from exerting complete control over lakeshore land between ordinary high- and low-water marks.
COA holds that volunteer work was incidental to man’s employment
A general contractor’s volunteer work was incidental to his professional employment, so the injuries he sustained during the volunteer work must be covered under the Indiana Worker’s Compensation Act.
COA affirms lifetime suspension of driving rights
A man who was caught driving with a suspended license cannot challenge the legality of the lifetime suspension of his driving privileges because the law in effect at the time of his arrest required the lifetime suspension, the Indiana Court of Appeals found Wednesday.
COA reverses handgun conviction after state failed to meet burden of proof
The state failed to meet its burden of proof to show that an Indianapolis man was carrying a handgun without a license outside of his dwelling, workplace or property, the Court of Appeals found Wednesday, thus vacating the man’s misdemeanor conviction.
‘Strict compliance’ with contempt statute not required if sufficient notice is given
A majority of the justices of the Indiana Supreme Court found Tuesday that strict compliance with a state statute regarding contempt orders can be excused if the party in contempt has been sufficiently notified of their contempt, thus affirming a trial court decision requiring an ex-husband to produce income and tax documents for his ex-wife.
Ex-Indiana jail administrator admits to stealing $260,000
A former Monroe County jail administrator has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $260,000 in county money.
Brexit case sees starkly different views of UK constitution
U.K. Supreme Court judges were presented with starkly contrasting views of Britain's largely unwritten constitution Tuesday, as they considered whether government or Parliament has the power to lead the country out of the European Union.
Justices uphold Katrina fraud verdict against State Farm
A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a jury verdict that State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. committed fraud against the federal government after 2005's Hurricane Katrina.
7th Circuit rules Duke Energy must pay for wind-generated power
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court decision Tuesday requiring Duke Energy to pay for power generated by a local wind farm only if it passes to a lower grid, deciding instead that the energy company is contractually obligated to pay for any generated power regardless of transmission issues.
Indiana attorney illegally practicing in Florida suspended for 18 months
An Indiana attorney who was illegally practicing law in Florida has been suspended in Indiana for 18 months without automatic reinstatement.
Divided COA says trial court must hold hearing on order to pay
A Floyd County trial court cannot order debtors to make monthly payments toward a mortgage, taxes and insurance premiums in a foreclosure case without first holding a hearing on the debtors’ ability to pay, a divided Indiana Court of Appeals held Tuesday.
High court sides with Samsung in patent dispute with Apple
A unanimous Supreme Court of the United States on Tuesday sided with smartphone maker Samsung in its high-profile patent dispute with Apple over design of the iPhone.
7th Circuit rules student-athletes aren’t considered ‘employees’
Collegiate athletes cannot be considered university employees and, thus, are not eligible for minimum wage pay, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday, affirming a district court decision that dismissed a lawsuit brought against the NCAA.
COA reverses handgun conviction because officer didn’t follow protocol
A police officer did not follow the proper protocol for conducting an inventory search of a detainee’s car, thus making the search impermissible under state and federal constitutions and prohibiting the admittance of any evidence obtained through the search.
Justices deny transfer of CHINS ADA case with 3-2 vote
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied transfer of a case in which a father argued that the Department of Child Services’ failure to comply with the American with Disabilities Act when providing discretionary services should void the termination of his parental rights. However, two justices dissented from that decision, writing that DCS should always be required to comply with the ADA.
7th Circuit affirms murder, racketeering convictions despite government error
Despite improper statements made by the government during closing arguments of a trial, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the defendant’s murder and racketeering convictions, writing that the statements constituted harmless error.
Indiana Supreme Court grants transfer in parental rights case
Indiana’s highest court has agreed to hear a case regarding the termination of two parents’ rights to their children, with the father arguing that his rights should be restored because the Indiana Department of Child Services failed to file the termination petition within the required legal time frame.