Man gets 63 years in prison for deadly cellphone cord attack
A New Castle man has been sentenced to 63 years in prison for using a cellphone cord to choke an acquaintance who died about eight months after the attack.
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Justices grant transfer in 2 fixed-sentence modification cases
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to hear argument in two cases with similar scenarios concerning the trial court’s ability to modify fixed-sentence plea agreements.
‘Reliability of exhibits’ overcomes challenge to probation revocation
The revocation of a Madison County man’s probation was upheld after the Indiana Court of Appeals found the evidence presented to the trial court of his continued drug activity met the test for reliability.
Justices hear probable cause questions in case of $60K seized cash
Questions of whether probable cause existed for law enforcement to seize more than $60,000 in cash from a FedEx package were heard before the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday, with an attorney for the state urging justices to overturn recent precedent to allow the seizure.
Public was not barred from man’s trial, COA rules
A man who argued the public was barred from his trial was denied an appeal of his drug-related convictions Thursday after an appellate panel confirmed that his Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was not violated.
Despite snoozing juror, meth, theft convictions affirmed
Convictions for a man who attempted to make meth were upheld by an Indiana Court of Appeals panel Wednesday after it concluded no abuse of discretion occurred when a sleeping juror in his case was replaced, and that his argument for a new trial was waived.
Inmate dies after being found unresponsive in jail cell
A 42-year-old inmate has died after being found unresponsive in his northern Indiana jail cell.
Drug evidence found in locked safe properly admitted, COA rules
A man’s convictions of possessing meth and a syringe were upheld Monday when an appellate panel affirmed no abuse of discretion occurred when evidence discovered inside a locked safe in his car were admitted at trial.
COA rules weapons search that revealed drugs constitutional
An Allen County drug possession trial will proceed with evidence obtained from a pat-down search after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the search was constitutional.
Canadian man facing drug charges seeks passport’s return
A Canadian man who allegedly had 127 pounds of cocaine hidden inside his vehicle wants northwestern Indiana authorities to return his passport. A Porter County judge ordered Hobart police Monday to return all of Denis Mesumb’s belongings, except for his Canadian passport, and set a Wednesday hearing to consider its release.
Princeton officer faces misconduct charge after drugs allegedly tossed
Authorities say a southwestern Indiana police officer allowed a drug trafficking suspect to discard a bag of heroin before being taken to a police station. Illinois State Police say 28-year-old Princeton Officer Brandt George is free on bond after being charged with official misconduct.
CHINS adjudication reversed for mom who tested clean
A mother whose kids were found to be children in need of services despite her successful efforts to stay sober and get the help she needed found favor with an appellate panel Monday, who reversed the CHINS adjudication on the basis of insufficient evidence.
7th Circuit reverses unwarranted gun sentence enhancement
The fact that drugs and guns were in the same place at the same time wasn’t enough to prove a man should have received a sentence enhancement for his convictions, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, finding no connection between his felony cocaine possession and firearms.
Lawsuit: St. Joseph County sheriff’s office negligent in inmate death
A federal lawsuit accuses a northern Indiana sheriff’s department of negligence after an inmate who allegedly was suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms killed himself.
COA: Officer peeking in window acted as Girl Scout would
A man with drug-related convictions failed to sway an appellate court that his rights against illegal search and seizure were violated when an officer peeked through his window before arresting him. The Indiana Court of Appeals concluded the officer acted no differently than a Girl Scout in approaching the man’s door.
7th Circuit finds leadership enhancement harmless error
An Indianapolis furniture salesman who used his business as a front for selling cocaine and heroin persuaded the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to buy his argument that he did not have a leadership role in the drug operation, but his 30-year sentence was still affirmed.
COA: Probation officers protected under quasi-judicial immunity
An inmate ordered to serve the reminder of his sentence after violating his probation lost his argument against several probation officers involved in his case when the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the officers were protected under quasi-judicial immunity.
Marijuana legalization elsewhere leaves Hoosier employers dazed
For the small-business owners who arrived at the Indiana Statehouse March 6 to spend the day speaking with lawmakers, issues such as taxes, tariffs and finding qualified workers were more important than marijuana.
‘Vigilante’ who killed 2 trying to ‘clean up drug problem’ loses appeal
A man who murdered two people in a victim’s home after telling police he wanted to help “clean up the drug problem” in a southern Indiana county got no relief from his convictions or 121-year prison sentence on appeal Friday.
Hamilton County implements program to stop opioid overdoses
An opioid overdose prevention program has been started in Hamilton County.