Discrimination - The Indiana Lawyer

Dozens file court support for gay teacher in fight with Archdiocese of Indianapolis

September 24, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

The fight over a teacher at Cathedral High School who was fired for being in a same-sex marriage is highlighting a split between conservative and progressive members of the Catholic faith with several members of the Indiana legal community — including a former 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge and an Indiana attorney prominent in Republican politics — now adding their voices in opposition to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Lawyer: Case of Black inmate set to die reveals racial bias

September 24, 2020 | Associated Press

The lawyer for the first Black inmate scheduled to die this year as part of the Trump administration’s resumption of federal executions says race played a central role in landing her client on death row for slaying a young white Iowa couple and burning them in the trunk of their car.

Dismay over Breonna Taylor spills into America’s streets

September 24, 2020 | Associated Press

Anger, frustration and sadness over the decision not to charge police officers for Breonna Taylor’s death poured into America’s streets as protesters lashed out at a criminal justice system they say is stacked against Black people. Violence seized the demonstrations in her hometown of Louisville as gunfire rang out and wounded two police officers. Protests in Indianapolis remained peaceful.

1 officer indicted in Breonna Taylor case but not for her death

September 23, 2020 | Associated Press and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Officials in Louisville and communities throughout Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois are preparing for more protests and possible unrest as the public nervously awaits the Kentucky attorney general’s announcement about whether he will charge officers in Breonna Taylor’s shooting death.

SCOTUS favorite Barrett’s Purdue Title IX opinion hews to text, sets standard

September 21, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

With 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett a favorite to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court, the focus has been on the jurist’s views of abortion, but an opinion in a Purdue University sexual misconduct case she authored little more than a year ago may provide more insight into her approach to the law.

High court front-runner, Notre Dame’s Barrett hailed by right, feared by left

September 21, 2020 | Associated Press and IL Staff

A front-runner to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a federal appellate judge who and professor at Notre Dame Law School who has established herself as a reliable conservative on hot-button legal issues from abortion to gun control.

Indiana vote-by-mail appeal brief warns of ‘confusing and chaotic’ election scenario

September 17, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

Plaintiffs in the battle to expand no-excuse absentee voting in Indiana before the Nov. 3 general election filed their reply brief Wednesday, arguing the state’s suggestion of requiring all Hoosiers to vote in-person, regardless of age, would create a “more confusing and chaotic outcome.”

Judicial Conference releases 10-year strategic plan to improve Indiana justice system

September 16, 2020 | IL Staff

A strategic plan to improve Indiana’s justice system over the next 10 years has been released by the Judicial Conference of Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Tuesday.

‘Say her name’: Louisville to pay $12M to Breonna Taylor’s family

September 16, 2020 | Associated Press

Months after the police killing of Breonna Taylor thrust her name to the forefront of a national reckoning on race and excessive use of force, the city of Louisville agreed to pay the Black woman’s family $12 million and reform police practices as part of a settlement announced Tuesday.

Tightrope act: Judges balance social issues, impartiality

September 16, 2020 | Olivia Covington

Scenes from protests have dominated television screens for months. People of all ages, sizes, races, genders and backgrounds have participated in events calling for an end to racial inequality. But how do judges fit into the mix?

Bipartisan Indianapolis prosecutors endorse Biden-Harris

September 15, 2020 | IL Staff

A bipartisan group of current and former Marion County prosecutors are publicly backing the Biden-Harris 2020 presidential ticket, saying they “strongly disagree” with the notion of law and order touted by President Donald Trump.

Report: Death penalty cases show history of racial disparity

September 15, 2020 | Associated Press

Black people have been overrepresented on death rows across the United States and killers of Black people are less likely to face the death penalty than people who kill white people, a new report found.

Agreement settles complaint against student housing provider

September 14, 2020 | IL Staff

A conciliation agreement with a provider of student housing is being hailed as expanding housing opportunities for families with children and opening access to more than 12,830 rentable units, including some at college campuses in Indiana.

Indiana AG urges 7th Circuit to keep absentee voting restrictions in place

September 11, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

Less than two months before the November presidential election, the Indiana Attorney General is countering a push to remove the state’s restrictions on mail-in voting by telling the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals those restrictions guard against fraud and encourage voter turnout.

Prosecutor Mears backs move to end debt-based driver’s license suspensions

September 10, 2020 | IL Staff

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears on Thursday announced his support for ending debt-based driver’s license suspensions across the state, just ahead of a legislative committee meeting to discuss the issue.

Appeals court upholds judgment for 4 cities in RFRA lawsuit

September 10, 2020 | Olivia Covington

A lawsuit challenging Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act will not proceed, for now, after the Indiana Court of Appeals declined to reverse summary judgment for four cities with nondiscrimination ordinances. The appellate panel found that the conservative organizations challenging the RFRA “fix” lacked standing to challenge the ordinances on free speech and religious exercise grounds.

AP Exclusive: Pence to attend event hosted by QAnon backers

September 9, 2020 | Associated Press

Vice President and former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and top officials from President Donald Trump’s campaign are slated to attend a Montana fundraiser next week hosted by a couple who have expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory, according to an event invitation obtained by The Associated Press and a review of social media postings.

IU wins summary judgment in ex-student’s Title IX case

September 4, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

Along with granting summary judgment to Indiana University in an ex-student’s Title IX sexual misconduct lawsuit, the Southern Indiana District Court found the exercise of supplemental jurisdiction was proper and also dismissed the male student’s state law claims.

7th Circuit rejects sexual orientation claim of DOC worker fired for harassment

September 4, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

After working for the Indiana Department of Correction for more than 20 years, Robbie Marshall was terminated from his position after a co-worker brought sexual harassment allegations against him.

Officers suspended in Rochester, N.Y. suffocation death; protesters unswayed

September 4, 2020 | Associated Press

Seven police officers involved in the suffocation death of Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York, were suspended by the city’s mayor, who said she was misled for months about the circumstances of the fatal encounter.

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