Indiana woman gets 5 years in killing, body-dumping case
A woman who is one of five people charged in a torture-slaying has been sentenced to five years in prison.
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Panelists urge counties to keep ‘open mind’ on pretrial release reform
Stakeholders from around Indiana shared experiences and expectations regarding pretrial release reform as the entire state moves toward a system less reliant on cash bail beginning in January.
Justices affirm stalking conviction for driver who followed college student 70 miles
A man’s act of following a college student for more than two hours on U.S. Highway 30 from Valparaiso to Warsaw constituted stalking, Indiana Supreme Court justices affirmed Tuesday, finding his actions were continuous in nature.
COA splits on admission of counselor records in child molesting case
An adoptive father’s child molesting conviction will stand, a divided appellate court determined Tuesday, disagreeing as to whether privileged records from a one-on-one counseling session with the victim should be admitted.
Justices to review 181-year sentence imposed on Gary teen
The Indiana Supreme Court granted petitions to transfer in two cases last week, agreeing to hear a case concerning the sentence imposed on a 16-year-old murder defendant and a matter regarding a motorcycle crash involving a state trooper.
COA will hear habitual offender, frat house oral arguments
The Indiana Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments this week involving a man’s prolonged fight against his habitual offender status as well as a dispute regarding an Indiana University fraternity house property.
Stakeholders praise pretrial reforms at statewide summit
Across Indiana, 44 local jails are currently at capacity. But if half of all pretrial detainees were released, that number would fall to 11. A key lawmaker used that statistic Friday to demonstrate the possible benefits in Indiana’s efforts to release low-level, low-risk offenders as an alternative to cash bail.
Widower of lawmaker gets 55 years for killing attorney
The husband of a late Indiana legislator has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for the 2018 shooting death of a northwestern Indiana attorney.
COA upholds 75-year sentence in kidnapping, confinement
A man who stalked and kidnapped two women at gunpoint and led police on a vehicle chase couldn’t persuade the Indiana Court of Appeals to reduce his aggregate 75-year sentence.
Public comment invited on proposed pretrial services rules
A series of proposed rules concerning pretrial services is up for public review and comment, the Indiana Judicial Conference Board of Directors has announced.
Public comment invited on proposed pretrial services rules
A series of proposed rules concerning pretrial services is up for public review and comment, the Indiana Judicial Conference Board of Directors has announced.
Federal judge tosses conviction in IU student’s murder for ineffective counsel
The man convicted in the May 2000 murder of Indiana University student Jill Behrman has been ordered released from prison after a federal judge granted him habeas relief. In reaching that decision, the Southern Indiana District Court determined the Indiana Court of Appeals improperly evaluated the defendant’s allegations of prejudice.
Man who confessed to killing previously ruled suicide gets 37-year sentence
An Indiana man who walked into a police station to confess to killing a woman in Illinois when he lived there five years earlier has been sentenced to 37 years in prison. The Terre Haute woman’s death previously had been ruled a suicide.
Fort Wayne officer won’t be charged in man’s fatal shooting
A Fort Wayne police officer who fatally shot a man after a police chase won’t face charges in the shooting. The driver was fatally shot May 22 after a police chase ended when he crashed his car.
Dallas officer who fatally shot neighbor faces sentencing
The same jury that convicted a white Dallas police officer of murder in the fatal shooting of her black neighbor returns to court Wednesday to consider her sentence — a penalty that could be anywhere from five years to life in prison.
The prosecution rests: Curry steps down
With a voice that sometimes came close to breaking, Terry Curry announced he was resigning as Marion County Prosecutor on Sept. 23, saying his health and desire to spend more time with his family forced him to make the difficult decision to leave the job he loves.
Counties prepare for pretrial release reform
As 2019 draws to a close, judicial officials across Indiana are preparing for a change coming Jan. 1. On that day, Criminal Rule 26, which dictates new pretrial release protocols, will be effective statewide.
Marion County halts simple marijuana possession prosecutions
Simple possession of marijuana will no longer be prosecuted in Indianapolis courts, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has announced. Acting Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Monday the office will no longer file charges against defendants accused of possessing less than 1 ounce, or roughly 30 grams, of marijuana.
Summit to address pretrial release practices as bail reform looms
Representatives from all 92 Indiana counties will gather in Indianapolis next week for a team-based training event on pretrial release practices in criminal cases.
Indiana boy, 15, sentenced in uncle’s death after house fire
A 15-year-old southern Indiana boy has been sentenced to 17½ years in prison after pleading guilty in a house fire that resulted in his uncle’s death.