Indiana justices hit the road to hear hazing arguments
The Indiana Supreme Court will travel to Indiana University East in Richmond next week to hear arguments in a hazing lawsuit involving Wabash College.
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GE did not discriminate against employee
A longtime employee at the Bloomington General Electric Co. plant could not prove to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the company discriminated against her because of a disability and retaliated against her when she filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Judges affirm AUL Insurance owed no fiduciary duty to 401(k) plan
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of an insurance company on a 401(k) plan trustee’s lawsuit that the insurance company’s revenue-sharing practices breached a fiduciary duty under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
7th Circuit affirms men’s drug convictions
In a consolidated appeal brought by two men convicted on charges stemming from a heroin conspiracy, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed their convictions. Ronald Zitt, who went to trial, argued he was entitled to a mistrial. Joshua Wampler pleaded guilty but argued he should be allowed to appeal.
Trial court needs to take another look at alibi defense
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the denial of a man’s petition for habeas corpus and ordered the District Court to take another look at the defense counsel’s alibi defense investigation.
Judge: Undeveloped land can be assessed as agricultural
The Indiana Tax Court Friday upheld a final determination by the Indiana Board of Tax Review to assess farm land as agricultural that was purchased by a developer but remained undeveloped for years.
Judges affirm restitution order, sentence following deadly crash
A man who was speeding and under the influence of alcohol when his car struck another, killing the driver and severely injuring the passenger, will have to make restitution to the victims, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.
Man found guilty again in South Bend murder
A St. Joseph County man who was convicted of killing his girlfriend – but later had the conviction overturned by the Indiana Supreme Court – was found guilty again April 12 of murder.
Court reverses hotel’s cybersquatting conviction
A dispute over who could use the designation “Visit Michigan City LaPorte” led to a legal battle between LaPorte County’s visitors bureau and an area hotel-resort, with the trial court ruling in favor of the visitors bureau. But the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed Monday, ruling the bureau didn’t prove it held a valid and protectable trademark.
Police Merit Commission may discipline former assistant chief
A former assistant police chief of the City of Greenwood who was demoted to lieutenant may be disciplined by the city’s Police Merit Commission, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday. The officer argued that based on ordinances and codes, only the mayor could discipline police chiefs or assistant chiefs.
Indianapolis Bankruptcy Division eliminates informal ADR mandate
Southern District Bankruptcy Chief Judge James K. Coachys has signed an order that terminates a previous order requiring alternative dispute resolution related to Chapter 13 trustee motions to dismiss in the Indianapolis Division.
Justices rule in favor of sewer facility operator in condemnation action
A case involving a compensation award for condemnation initiated by Fort Wayne’s Board of Public Works that may appear at first blush as a “no brainer” is actually not as simple as it seems, the Indiana Supreme Court pointed out Thursday.
Contractor wins on appeal of $14.5M damages award for defamation
State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. is on the hook for $14.5 million in damages after a contractor prevailed on his defamation claim against the insurer. The award is one of the largest defamation damages in the country, according to the court.
State Farm must pay contractor $14.5M for defamation
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a $14.5 million award of damages against State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. after finding the insurer couldn’t prove its three arguments on appeal to reverse. The award is one of the largest defamation awards in U.S. history, according to the court.
Electric cooperative owed no duty to injured contractor
An independent contractor injured at a generating station owned by Bloomington-based Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative was unable to prove to the Indiana Court of Appeals that the electric cooperative was negligent regarding his injury.
7th Circuit: Federal courts or juries can’t decide religious questions
Taking up three appeals stemming from a lawsuit filed surrounding control of religious documents and artifacts from the appearance of the Virgin Mary, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found that a federal judge erred in ruling that it should be up to a jury to decide whether a party to the lawsuit is still a religious sister.
COA affirms father’s convictions stemming from daughter’s injuries
The Indiana Court of Appeals rejected a St. Joseph County man’s claims that the trial court abused its discretion regarding the admission and exclusion of certain evidence at his jury trial for charges related to injuries to his infant daughter.
Senior judge permanently banned from judicial service
Senior Judge Lisa M. Traylor-Wolff, who faced a disciplinary action on charges she had a sexual relationship with a client, is no longer allowed to serve as a judge, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered Tuesday.
8 seek Allen Superior judgeship
Eight attorneys have applied to fill a vacancy on the Allen Superior Court, Civil Division that will occur April 26 when Judge Stephen Sims retires.
COA rules trial court cannot exceed scope of plea agreement
A man will have to serve his full sentence, but the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled since his plea agreement makes no mention of restitution, he will not have to pay.