Mom claims agent framed her in son’s death, sues government
A woman who was wrongfully convicted of murdering her 3-year-old son is suing the government and alleges a federal officer helped investigators frame her for the crime.
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Fremont Town Court judge admonished for ex parte communication
A Steuben County town court judge who was admonished in 2012 for improper ex parte communications for assuming the role of prosecutor in a traffic infraction in her court has been admonished again for a similar violation.
Judge counts his blessings while slowly going blind
George Pancol, judge of Madison Circuit Court 2, is going blind. The doctors can't agree why.
Indiana woman who fought gay marriage ban dies of cancer
A terminally ill woman whose desire to have her same-sex marriage recognized by Indiana before she died helped galvanize efforts to overturn the state's gay marriage ban has lost her battle with cancer.
Ex-Martin County judge pleads guilty to failing to pay income tax
One-time Martin Circuit judge and county prosecutor Robert J. Howell pleaded guilty Friday to charges that he failed to pay more than $66,000 in taxes on receipts from his law firm in Loogootee.
Appeals court strips grandmother’s visitation, cites grandchild’s adoption
An Indiana Court of Appeals panel Friday stripped a maternal grandparent of visitation rights, finding she had no standing to seek visitation. The parents of the child had divorced, and the father remarried shortly after the mother’s death.
Prosecutor: 50-plus warrants issued in Evansville meth ring
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nicholas Hermann said federal arrest warrants have been issued for more than 50 people allegedly involved in a meth-trafficking ring that funneled the drug into the area from four other states.
COA reverses confinement conviction, cautions prosecution on future statements
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a Lake County man’s Class B felony criminal confinement conviction because the trial court erred in admitting out-of-court statements by an alleged accomplice.
Hamilton County establishing veterans court
A veterans court could be up and running in Hamilton County within 45 days after the county council on Wednesday approved startup funding.
7th Circuit affirms carjacking enhancement stemming from bank robbery
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals quickly dismissed a defendant’s argument that his sentence for bank robbery should not include a two-level sentence enhancement for carjacking because the keys to the car were obtained by rummaging through the victim’s purse and not through force or intimidation.
7th Circuit stresses holding Pavey hearing separate from summary judgment hearing
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for the Indiana Department of Correction and its commissioner on a disabled inmate’s claims of violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The judges also suggested that courts do not hold a Pavey hearing at the same time as a hearing on a motion for summary judgment.
Defendant must try to prevent crime discovery for statute of limitations to toll
In dealing with an issue of first impression, the Indiana Supreme Court found a robbery charge should be dismissed because it was filed outside of the statute of limitations. The state argued the defendant had concealed evidence of the crime, thus tolling the five-year statute of limitations.
Marion County justice complex decision could come at last minute
The Indianapolis City-County Council could push the closing of a $1.6 billion deal for a new criminal justice complex to the last minute.
Majority finds no error regarding potential electronic monitoring
The Indiana Court of Appeals rejected a man’s argument that a trial court had improperly delegated to a community corrections program the authority to decide whether he should be subject to electronic monitoring.
Court rules in favor of hospital in contract dispute
A Lake County medical center prevailed in an appeal filed by the other party in a contract to provide anesthesiology services for patients. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of the hospital on several breach of contract claims.
Man’s conviction for murdering neighbor upheld
Citing a wide array of circumstantial evidence to support a Cass County man’s murder conviction in connection with his neighbor’s death, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction.
Courthouse security plan to add cameras with sweeping views
Security cameras at a southeastern Indiana county's courthouse will rotate 180 degrees and allow officials to monitor every part of the building without cluttering it up.
Indiana woman found guilty of feticide charge
A guilty verdict has been returned against an Indiana woman charged with neglect in the death of a newborn whose body was found in a restaurant trash bin.
Supreme Court seeks state funds for technology, access to courts
A group of four representatives of the Indiana Supreme Court explained to the House Ways & Means Committee Tuesday morning why the state should give the judiciary millions of dollars for court technology, access to courts and criminal code reform.
Indiana will get share of $1.38B Standard & Poor’s settlement
A billion-dollar settlement stemming from allegations that Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC misled investors in the lead up to the 2008 financial crisis will net Indiana $21.5 million.