3 brothers plead guilty to massive biofuels scam
Three brothers have pleaded guilty to participating in a biofuels scam that federal investigators are calling “one of the largest tax and securities fraud schemes in Indiana history."
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Lawmakers pass Marion Co. small claims reforms
The General Assembly Wednesday afternoon passed modest reforms of the nine township small claims courts in Marion County, a far cry from recommendations of multiple judicial studies to restructure the courts.
COA affirms new trial on motorcyclist’s negligence claim
A trial court did not abuse its discretion when it set aside a jury verdict allocating 70 percent of fault to a motorcyclist who hit a dog that darted in front of his bike, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled. The motorcyclist was injured in the accident and sued the dog’s owners.
Former Lilly partner set to pay $2.3B to settle Actos cases
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. executives have agreed to pay more than $2.3 billion to resolve lawsuits accusing the company of hiding its Actos diabetes medicine’s cancer risks, three people familiar with the accord said.
Appeals court declines to revise battery sentence
Even though a trial court did not specify why it imposed consecutive sentences for a man convicted of two counts of battery – one as a Level 6 felony and the other a Class A misdemeanor – the Indiana Court of Appeals found the rationale for consecutive sentences is apparent on the face of the record.
Mother’s failure to timely contest adoption dooms appeal
A woman who failed to give notice to the court within 30 days after learning her child’s stepmother sought to adopt the child could not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that her due process was denied in the matter.
US Supreme Court hears historic same-sex marriage arguments
Pivotal Supreme Court of the United States Justice Anthony Kennedy did not tip his hand Tuesday as the high court heard historic arguments over the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry.
US Supreme Court to hear historic same-sex marriage arguments
The Supreme Court of the United States is set to hear historic arguments in cases that could make same-sex marriage the law of the land.
8 apply to be next COA judge
The Indiana Supreme Court released the names of the eight people who want to replace Court of Appeals Judge Ezra Friedlander after he retires from the bench in August.
Woman’s battery conviction reversed due to fatal variance
A couple arrested after they screamed and resisted arrest at a local Department of Child Services’ office after learning their child was being removed from their care had all but one of their convictions from the incident upheld by the Indiana Court of Appeals Monday.
BLE announces names of 174 who passed February bar exam
Nearly 175 people have passed the Indiana Bar Exam. The Board of Law Examiners posted the names of the 174 successful test-takers Monday. Results are from the February 2015 exam.
SCOTUS considers excessive force, discrimination and personal data issues
The Supreme Court of the United States said Monday it will decide whether websites and other firms that collect personal data can be sued for publishing inaccurate information even if the mistakes don't cause any actual harm. The court is also considering time limits for discrimination claims and issues involving excessive force against inmates awaiting trial.
Long odds for insanity defense in theater shooting trial
The parents of Colorado theater shooter James Holmes joined the parents of his victims in line on a gray and drizzly Monday morning before entering the courthouse where lawyers prepared to declare why he should be executed or spend the rest of his life in a mental hospital.
Boston Marathon bomber’s lawyer urges jury to spare his life
A lawyer for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev urged a jury Monday to spare the young man's life, portraying him as "a good kid" who was led astray by his belligerent older brother.
Small Indiana town sued for rejecting proposed cell tower
A company that wants to build a cellphone tower in northeast Indiana is suing a small town, alleging the Zanesville Town Council is violating the federal Communications Act by using zoning ordinances to keep a wireless communications facility out.
Ex-Valpo attorney pleads guilty to wire fraud, money laundering
Former Valparaiso lawyer Clark Holesinger will plead guilty to federal wire fraud and money-laundering charges accusing him of stealing $2 million, according to an information announced Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Lawsuit against hip replacement maker to remain in Indiana
The lawsuit brought by 19 people in Virginia and Mississippi against Warsaw, Indiana-based DePuy Orthopaedics alleging injuries from a now-recalled hip implant will remain in Indiana over the medical manufacturer’s objections.
Judges dismiss appeal over deposition prep time
Because a trial court’s decision to deny ordering the defendants to pay for the time the plaintiffs’ expert witness spends preparing for his defense deposition is not a final judgment, the plaintiffs should have appealed under Ind. Appellate Rule 14(B). Since they did not, the Indiana Court of Appeals dismissed their appeal.
County can’t raise tax to fund emergency expenses
The Indiana Tax Court affirmed the decision by the Department of Local Government Finance to deny the Clark County Board of Commissioners’ request to increase the county’s Cumulative Capital Development Fund tax rate for the 2012 budget year. The county sought the additional funds for a rainy day fund and to cover unexpected emergency costs.
Justices affirm LWOP sentence, admission of suicide note
A southern Indiana man challenging his robbery and murder convictions and sentence to spend the rest of his life in prison lost his appeal before the Indiana Supreme Court Thursday. The justices rejected the man’s claim that his sentence should be reduced to a term of years.