COA dismisses 4-year-old suit against nursing home
A woman who sued a Noblesville nursing home over her mother’s care that she claimed was negligent failed to persuade the Indiana Court of Appeals to reinstate her civil lawsuit.
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Roberts will tap his inner umpire in impeachment trial
America’s last prolonged look at Chief Justice John Roberts came 14 years ago, when he told senators during his Supreme Court confirmation hearing that judges should be like baseball umpires, impartially calling balls and strikes. His hair grayer, the 64-year-old Roberts will return to the public eye as he makes the short trip from the Supreme Court to the Senate to preside over President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
2 judges back on bench following fight-related suspensions
Two southern Indiana judges are back on the bench after completing their suspensions for a downtown Indianapolis fight and double-shooting that followed a night of bar hopping. Clark Circuit Judge Brad Jacobs and Crawford Circuit Judge Sabrina Bell were reinstated to the bench Monday following 30-day suspensions that took effect Nov. 22.
Muncie mayor’s trial on federal charges delayed until May
A central Indiana mayor’s federal trial on charges of accepting a bribe has been pushed back for several months. Defense attorneys for Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler requested the delay on the trial that had been scheduled to start Jan. 21.
Judge allowing lawsuit over Lake Monroe logging to proceed
A judge is allowing a lawsuit to proceed against a property owner over logging activity on his land along southern Indiana’s Lake Monroe. The ruling by a Monroe County judge rejects an effort by property owner Joe Huff to have a lawsuit filed against him by county officials dismissed.
Year in Review: Baer death penalty reversal most-read IL story of 2019
A federal appeals court’s reversal of Madison County killer Fredrick Baer’s death sentence was the most-read story on the Indiana Lawyer’s digital edition, www.theindianalawyer.com. Indiana Lawyer readers clicked on stories on our website more than 2.6 million times between Jan. 1 and Dec. 10, 2019, according to Google Analytics. Here are the 50 most-viewed story headlines during that time.
Year in Review: In 2019, troubles dominated legal news
When those in the legal community look back at 2019, they may turn their heads and look forward instead. While the year had bright spots, several sordid sagas dominated the headlines.
Justices agree to hear extended expungement-wait case
Indiana Supreme Court justices have agreed to hear a case that sharply divided an appellate panel concerning whether minor felonies reduced to misdemeanor convictions should trigger new five-year waiting periods for individuals seeking a criminal expungement.
7th Circuit largely affirms for law enforcement in Carmel ‘pill mill’ case
Law enforcement who charged physicians and staff in an Indiana pill mill investigation will not face a suit from the cleared defendants, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled, with the exception of an employee who worked as a parking lot attendant.
Appellate court: Minor not ‘Indian child’ under ICWA
A father who argued his daughter was an Indian child under federal law during a termination of parental rights battle lost his appeal of the termination Monday, when the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a ruling finding that the child’s tribe was not registered with the United States government.
COA vacates contempt finding in domestic battery case
Double jeopardy concerns led the Indiana Court of Appeals to vacate a contempt finding against a man facing a domestic battery charge, though his related domestic battery sentence was upheld.
‘Ministerial exception’ discovery motion fails in lawsuit against Indianapolis Archdiocese
A motion in a lawsuit against the Indianapolis Archdiocese to limit discovery to the question of whether a fired gay counselor falls under the First Amendment’s “ministerial exception” has been defeated in “close call” in Indiana federal court.
Involuntary commitment affirmed for ‘gravely disabled and dangerous’ man
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the involuntary temporary commitment for a man found to be gravely disabled and dangerous to himself and others, finding clear and convincing evidence supported the finding.
COA upholds GBMI ruling in deadly Monument Circle attack
A man found guilty but mentally ill of a Monument Circle attack that left one person dead has lost his appeal of his convictions and sentence, including his appeal of the finding that he could appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct.
CHINS findings for siblings upheld
The parents of four children who were all adjudicated as children in need of services have lost their appeal of the CHINS determinations, with the Indiana Court of Appeals dismissing arguments claiming error on the part of the trial court and the Department of Child Services.
What’s next in legal drama over the Affordable Care Act?
The federal appeals court ruling striking down the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that people have health insurance left hanging key questions about what happens to other provisions of the law, like coverage for preexisting conditions. President Barack Obama’s signature health care law remains in legal limbo.
COA: Dealing statute not unconstitutionally vague
A Huntington County man who called the local sheriff and said he “was strung out on meth and to come get him and take it all out of his house,” unsuccessfully argued before the Indiana Court of Appeals that the statute under which he was convicted was unconstitutionally vague.
Paroled killer who asked agent to help find meth pipes loses appeal
A paroled killer who admitted to smoking meth and then asked law enforcement to remove the pipes he smoked from his home so his girlfriend wouldn’t find them did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday that those statements were inadmissible.
COA reverses for father in TPR case, citing ‘no evidence at all’
The termination of a father’s parental rights has been reversed after a panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals found insufficient evidence proved he would threaten the wellbeing of his daughter.
Conviction reversed for would-be drug sale at casino
A man suspected of trying to sell look-alike substances at an Indiana casino has had his drug-related conviction reversed, with the Indiana Court of Appeals finding insufficient evidence to dispel a claim of a Fourth Amendment violation.