Supreme Court to hear arguments in classmates’ personal injury damages dispute
The case involved the amount of damages Sydney Renner was entitled to after a 2016 accident that left her with a concussion.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Justices asked to reverse murder conviction, life sentence in death of Madison County toddler
A Madison County man convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s toddler is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to throw out his conviction and sentence to life without parole.
Rush dissents from transfer in moot bail case, says denial would preserve ‘valuable’ COA ruling
A majority of the Indiana Supreme Court has granted transfer and dismissed as moot an appeal challenging a bail ruling, but Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush penned a partial dissent opining that the grant of transfer vacates a “valuable” Court of Appeals analysis.
Counterclaim in Hendricks County CAFO fight tossed by trial court
With a simple “no,” the Hendricks Superior Court uprooted a pair of counterclaims that sprouted from nearly six years of litigation between long-time neighbors over a concentrated animal feeding operation that called into question the constitutionality of Indiana’s Right to Farm Act and asked the U.S. Supreme Court for a review.
7th Circuit affirms dismissal of killer’s habeas petition
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed the dismissal of a convicted killer’s habeas petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel, agreeing that his attorney’s alleged errors did not prejudice him.
High court to hear arguments in LWOP case for teen convicted of killing brother
A man convicted as a teen of killing his 10-year-old brother is headed back to the Indiana Supreme Court, this time on the state’s appeal of an order for a new sentencing hearing in the life-without-parole case.
Justices to hear arguments on LWOP appeal in toddler’s death
A Madison County man sentenced to life for murdering his girlfriend’s toddler will take his appeal of his sentence to the Indiana Supreme Court this week.
Indy attorney on probation after court finds ‘neglect’ in cases
An Indianapolis attorney who neglected several of his criminal and termination-of-parental-rights cases has begun a three-year probationary period for his misconduct.
Justices suspend Indianapolis attorney for felony drug possession conviction
Grant Helms, who has no prior disciplinary actions, was found guilty of possession of methamphetamine.
Judicial panel opts not to make sanction recommendations for ex-magistrate banned from bench
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications is requesting that the law license of a former Hamilton County magistrate busted in a meth sting only be reinstated if he can maintain a sustained recovery and fully comply with the Judges & Lawyers Assistance Program.
COA: liability precedent applies to hospitals and non-hospital medical providers
In a lawsuit over a missed areteriovenous fistula, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled the Indiana Supreme Court precedent which holds that a hospital can be held vicariously liable for the negligence of an independent-contractor physician also applies to a non-hospital facility.
Justices to hear premises-liability arguments against Menards
The case stems from an injury a man sustained after a sink fell on him at an Elkhart County Menards store.
Indiana Court Decisions – April 22-May 5, 2021
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
After veto override, governor turns to courts
In the legal brawl between Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly over who has the power to call the Statehouse into a special session, the Marion Superior Court will first have to determine which lawyers are actually representing the executive branch.
Justices to hear certified questions in medical malpractice case
The case stems from claims Jeffrey Cutchin brought against Sylvia Watson after she ran a red light and struck his vehicle, killing his wife and daughter.
Supreme Court extends authority for expanded remote hearings
As Indiana courts prioritize their safe return to live and in-person hearings, the Indiana Supreme Court announced that public health conditions will likely require trial courts to retain expanded authority for remote hearings.
Justices reject appeal to make public Indianapolis’ Amazon HQ2 offer
The Indiana Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from a tax trade publication that sought disclosure of tax dollars and incentives Indianapolis and the state offered Amazon in the city’s failed attempt to lure the online retail giant’s coveted second headquarters project known as HQ2.
Split Supreme Court upholds denial of LWOP defendant’s pro se request
A Boone County murder defendant convicted and sentenced to life without parole failed to convince a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court that the trial court improperly denied his request to proceed pro se. The majority provided an analysis for considering pro se requests in capital and LWOP sentences, but minority justices raised concerns about the majority “till(ing) new constitutional soil.”
Former Marion Superior Judge Moores certified as senior judge
Longtime Marion County juvenile judge Marilyn Moores has been certified as a senior judge following her retirement last year.
SCOTUS denies juvenile LWOP sentence appeal in 1994 Ball State murder
The United States Supreme Court waited exactly three years to reject the appeal petition of a defendant sentenced to life without parole for a murder he committed near Ball State University 27 years ago when he was 17.