COA to hear denied mistrial, attempted murder arguments in Lake, Wayne counties
The Indiana Court of Appeals will travel twice this week to hear arguments in Lake and Wayne counties involving a denied mistrial and attempted murder.
Domestic Violence
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Waived appellate rights enforceable despite unusual waiver language, 7th Circuit rules
A man who explicitly waived his right to appeal his decade-long sentence was denied his appeal of that sentence Monday when the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined the waiver of his appellate rights was valid despite the “unusual” language of his plea agreement.
Split 7th Circuit slams Indiana attorneys in grant of habeas petition
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a man’s habeas corpus petition — and offered harsh comments for Indiana defense attorneys — after finding ineffective assistance of counsel for a man whose attorney blatantly disregarded an opportunity to object to amended charges filed late.
Dad who beat son, 6, loses parental privilege defense appeal
An Allen County father who repeatedly struck his 6-year-old son in the face causing serious bruising after he accused the child of stealing his cigarettes had no viable claim of parental privilege shielding him from battery convictions.
COA: Evidence not inadmissible hearsay in domestic battery
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a man’s domestic battery and strangulation convictions when it found his arguments failed to prove that admitted evidence was inadmissible hearsay.
US soldier charged in wife’s killing flees to Thailand
A 21-year-old U.S. soldier is accused of flying to Indianapolis from Colorado to kill his estranged wife, then dumping her body in a trash bin and fleeing to Thailand.
Web Exclusive: Sex abuse survivor trains lawyers, others to avoid revictimizing
After overcoming addiction, abuse and sexual harm, Sarah Hurley sought to aid women dealing with the same struggles she faced as a child. She created the White Stone Project, an organization devoted to providing survivor-led, professional training and coaching to people and organizations engaging trauma survivors. Its goal: to equip people to more effectively communicate, understand and avoid revictimizing those they work with.
Domestic violence coalition grows network of lawyers to help survivors
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Satellite Attorney Program offers free civil legal services to low-income victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The program has a network of just over 100 attorneys across Indiana and, since January 2016, has provided legal advice or counsel, including direct representation, in roughly 350 cases.
COA affirms consecutive sentence for separate crimes
A man will have to serve his seven-year sentence for domestic battery after the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled a consecutive sentence could be imposed for separate crimes that arise from a single incident.
Lack of inmate program recommendation no issue on appeal, COA rules
A man sentenced to six years in prison for battering his father lost his argument on appeal that the trial court failed to recommend him for participation in a substance abuse treatment program. Placement in such programs are left to the discretion of the Department of Correction, the court noted.
COA upholds 6-year stalking sentence for ex’s break-in, threat
A Ripley County man who broke into his ex-wife’s home by climbing on the roof and cutting through the drywall with razor blades has lost his appeal of his six-year sentence for convictions of intimidation and invasion of privacy, with the Indiana Court of Appeals rejecting his argument that the sentence is inappropriate.
Man gets work release for estranged wife’s abduction
An Indiana man has been sentenced to work release for abducting his estranged wife at gunpoint from her workplace. Kyle Mulkins, 22, had pleaded guilty in April to a felony charge of criminal confinement in the August 2017 abduction.
Indiana white nationalist leader faces battery charges
A white nationalist arrested for physically harassing a woman protesting at a 2016 Donald Trump rally is accused of attacking his wife and her stepfather in the southern Indiana community of Paoli.
Two Lake County events spotlight domestic violence
Domestic violence will be the subject of two events being held this week in northwest Indiana to raise awareness about violence between spouses and intimate partners.
COA rejects father’s argument that his kids should be CHINS
Although a Tippecanoe County father appealed the denial of a petition alleging his children were children in need of services, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled the father’s arguments as to why his children should be considered CHINS were unavailing.
COA orders new trial after court denied right to closing arguments
A Cass County woman convicted of battery in front of her young daughter will get a new trial after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the trial court committed reversible error by denying the woman the right to present closing arguments.
Indianapolis creates interagency response units
Indianapolis has created four interagency teams to reduce the number of people taken to an emergency room or to jail as the state struggles to keep up with the opioid epidemic.
Judgment for police affirmed despite ‘insufficient’ abuse response
Though an Indiana sheriff’s department’s response to a woman’s multiple domestic violence claims against her boyfriend, who was a sheriff’s deputy, may have been “insufficient,” the woman failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove her claims against the department should go to trial, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeal ruled.
Indiana domestic violence law addresses phone plans, pets
A new Indiana law taking effect July 1 aims to help those affected by domestic violence leave abusive relationships.
Appeals court vacates multiple domestic violence convictions
Multiple domestic violence convictions against a man accused of repeatedly beating and choking his wife were vacated Thursday by the Indiana Court of Appeals, along with his adjudication as a habitual offender.