COA rejects murderer’s ineffective counsel arguments
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld the denial of a murderer’s post-conviction relief petition, finding neither his trial nor his appellate counsel provided ineffective assistance.
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Babysitter’s serious neglect convictions, sentence affirmed
A babysitter convicted of inflicting a life-threatening head injury on an infant in her care lost her appeal of her felony convictions and sentence after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined neither court error nor insufficient evidence warranted reversal.
Divided Supreme Court reverses habitual offender enhancement
A divided Indiana Supreme Court reversed a man’s habitual offender enhancement Thursday after determining his two prior Illinois convictions were statutorily considered Level 6 felonies, thus disqualifying the enhancement. The dissenting justice, however, found ambiguity in the statutes at issue.
Justices: 2015 habitual offender law set 10-year limit for past low-level felonies
The 2015 version of Indiana’s habitual offender statute requires an offender to have been released from all lower-level felonies within 10 years to establish a habitual offender enhancement, the Indiana Supreme Court. Justices reversed a trial court that overruled a reversal of a defendant’s objection to his habitual offender charges.
Theft conviction reversed for man who failed to pay restaurant bill
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a man’s misdemeanor theft conviction after finding the state failed to prove the man went to a restaurant and consumed food and drink with the intention of not paying. However, the court upheld the man's related disorderly conduct conviction.
Molestation convictions upheld against former stepfather
A Clinton County man convicted of molesting his former stepdaughter has lost his appeal after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined Monday the trial court did not abuse its discretion by excluding evidence that the victim was molested by another man.
Justices weigh if trial can proceed after prosecutor misconduct
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide if a man charged in his wife’s shooting death will finally have to stand trial after a series of judicial recusals and state misconduct resulted in the trial court dismissing the criminal case.
School district cleared after teacher convicted of child seduction
A northern Indiana school corporation has been cleared of legal wrongdoing in the events leading up to the arrest of a high school teacher who was having a sexual relationship with a student. A district court judge granted the school district’s motions for summary judgment on Thursday.
Ex-Vigo school administrator convicted in kickback scheme
A former Vigo County school district administrator has been convicted in a multi-year kickback scheme that federal authorities say cost the district more than $100,000.
No jail for fertility doctor who lied about using own sperm
A retired Indianapolis fertility doctor accused of inseminating patients with his own sperm will serve no jail time after pleading guilty Thursday to charges that he lied to investigators.
COA reduces contempt sentence from 910 days to 6 months
The Marion Superior Court must reduce a man’s sentence for criminal contempt of court to six months in order to comply with his Sixth Amendment rights and U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Judge gives Fogle another avenue to challenge sentence
A federal judge is giving former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle another chance to seek relief from his 15-year prison sentence after striking down the most recent of his objections to his sentence on Wednesday.
ACLU poll finds wide support for prosecutorial reform
Likely voters overwhelmingly support prosecutors who will work to end mass incarceration, alternatives to prison and reducing racial bias, according to polling results released Tuesday.
Holcomb doubles Pence’s 4-year total of pardons in one day
Gov. Eric Holcomb issued six pardons on Nov. 20 — twice the absolutions granted by his predecessor, now-Vice President Mike Pence, during his four years as governor.
Justices weigh if doctor who reported suspected abuse can be sued
A dispute over whether doctors who report suspected child abuse are protected under Indiana statute will come before the state’s high court this week — one of three oral arguments the court will hear Thursday.
Charges: Bribed guard let inmates out for sex, drugs in
A correctional officer at the federal prison in Terre Haute has been charged with taking bribes to look the other way as inmates left the grounds for sex, and to allow drugs, cellphones and other contraband into the facility.
Ex-Indiana sheriff’s bribery sentencing moved to January
The sentencing of former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich on his federal bribery and wire fraud conviction has been moved to mid-January.
Indianapolis attorney pleads guilty to immigration fraud
An Indianapolis immigration attorney has pleaded guilty to filing false visa applications for more than 250 clients and collecting $750,000 in fraudulent fees.
COA: Trial court must impose probation fees for felonies
The Marion Superior Court must hold an indigency hearing and correct its failure to impose probation fees on a man convicted of a felony after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined Thursday that state statute requires the imposition of probation fees for felony convictions.
Ex-ISU student gets 5 years in locker room voyeurism case
A former Indiana State University student who pleaded guilty to secretly filming female student-athletes in a campus locker room and sharing those videos online has been sentenced to five years in jail.