U.S. Supreme Court rules against prisoner in lawyer fee case
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling will mean that prisoners who win civil rights lawsuits against their jailers will generally be handing over more of their winnings to their lawyers.
Excessive Force
Articles
Suit from truck driver shot by Merrillville police proceeds
The town of Merrillville and one of its police officers lost their bid for summary judgment on a truck driver’s excessive force claim after a district court judge determined questions of fact exist as to whether the officer was justified in shooting the driver during an altercation.
IMPD excessive force claim proceeds to trial
The City of Indianapolis has lost its summary judgment argument on an excessive force claim after a district court judge determined genuine issues of material fact exist as to whether the city’s policies led two police officers to use excessive force against a veteran.
Suit claiming police ‘unleashed’ K-9 on sleeping man proceeds
The City of Indianapolis lost its bid to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a man who claims an officer “unleashed” a police dog on him as he slept, leading to serious injuries.
Police cleared in black man’s death still face inquiries
Two Indianapolis police officers cleared by a special prosecutor of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting death of an unarmed black motorist who fled a traffic stop still face an FBI civil rights probe, a federal lawsuit and potential disciplinary action by the department.
Ex-cop convicted of battering suspects faces third sentencing
A former central Indiana sheriff’s deputy convicted of civil rights violations for battering two handcuffed suspects will be sentenced in November for the third time after rulings by a federal appeals court.
Family of black man killed by Indianapolis police sue city
The family of an unarmed black man fatally shot by Indianapolis police during a traffic stop is suing the city, its police department and two officers, alleging excessive force.
Summary judgment denied to South Bend officer accused of using excessive force
An Indiana district court has denied summary judgment to a South Bend police officer accused of using excessive force against a citizen, finding a dispute exists as to whether the officer’s actions were protected by qualified immunity.
Putnam County officer to be resentenced again for excessive use of force
A Putnam County law enforcement officer who used excessive force against compliant arrestees must return to district court for a second resentencing after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined the district court, once again, failed to adequately justify its imposition of a below-guidelines sentence.
Lawsuit against Elkhart police in shooting may be withdrawn
The mother of a northern Indiana man fatally shot by police has asked to withdraw her federal lawsuit alleging excessive force in the confrontation.
Floyd County seeks to settle jail lawsuit for $1.23M
A southern Indiana county has proposed settling a federal class action lawsuit alleging inhuman conditions at its jail for $1.23 million.
Justices seek to define ‘indisputably’ in K-9 case
After leading South Bend police officers on a five-minute vehicular chase through city streets, Royce Love eventually stopped his van and was ordered to exit it. Love’s account of what happened next varies significantly from the officers’ account, and that disparity was the main issue the justices of the Indiana Supreme Court sought to resolve when they heard arguments in the case Thursday.
U.S. Supreme Court rules for officer in police shooting
The U.S. Supreme Court says a New Mexico State Police officer did not violate clearly established law when he shot and killed an armed man without first calling out a warning.
Police level of force raised in Charleston shooting trial
Testimony in the trial of a white former Charleston, South Carolina, police officer in the shooting death of an unarmed black motorist is raising questions about how much force is justified.
Judge denies summary judgment for jailers accused of excessive force
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Terre Haute decision, denied a motion for summary judgment brought by four Terre Haute jail officers who have been accused of using excessive force against a former inmate.
Supreme Court won’t hear appeal over police stun gun use
The U.S. Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from police officers challenging new restrictions on their ability to use Tasers on people trying to resist arrest.
Prosecutors appeal 14-month sentence for ex-Indiana deputy
Federal prosecutors are asking an appeals court to order a stiffer sentence for a former central Indiana sheriff's deputy convicted of civil rights violations.
Ball State University settles excessive force lawsuit
Ball State University has agreed to pay a local hip-hop artist $10,000 to settle an excessive force civil lawsuit after one of its officers used a leg sweep to take the person to the ground.
Indiana councilman seeks federal probe in man’s jail death
A Lake County councilman in is calling for a federal investigation into the death of a man at the county jail who had been arrested for speeding.
Fort Wayne pays $125K to settle excessive-force lawsuit
Fort Wayne has agreed to pay $125,000 to settle an excessive-force lawsuit with a Michigan man.