Attorney: Elkhart teen charged with murder denied rights
An attorney for an Elkhart teenager whose murder trial will soon begin is asking a judge to throw out incriminating statements, arguing police violated the teen’s constitutional rights.
Indiana Trial Courts
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Deputy prosecutor named new LaGrange Circuit judge
LaGrange County deputy prosecutor William R. Walz IV has been appointed to the LaGrange Circuit Court. Gov. Eric Holcomb selected Walz to succeed Judge J. Scott VanDerbeck, who retired June 1. VanDerbeck plans to serve as a senior judge and work as a mediator.
Judge pro tem appointed in Lake County; Tavitas to join COA
Senior judge Thomas W. Webber Sr., will serve as judge pro tem in Lake Superior Court, Civil Division 3, replacing Judge Elizabeth Tavitas upon her appointment to the Indiana Court of Appeals. Tavitas is scheduled to be sworn in on the appellate bench next week.
Insanity defense allowed for man in trooper shooting
A Clark County judge will allow a southern Indiana man to use an insanity defense when he goes on trial for shooting a state trooper in the head during a traffic stop. The defendant showed early signs of dementia, a mental health provider said.
COA: State with closest connection has custody jurisdiction
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday affirmed a trial court’s order granting a New Jersey mother’s motion to dismiss a custody petition filed by her children's father, who now lives in Indiana.
COA reversal: Total settlement must fund special-needs trust
The Indiana Court of Appeals found a trial court exceeded its authority and made errors of law when it ordered only $1 million into a special needs trust after a settlement of more than $17 million.
Company to pay $10K fine in worker’s death at IU’s campus
A contractor has agreed to pay $10,000 in fines for workplace safety violations found after a worker died at an Indiana University construction site.
Opioid summit focuses on treatment, best judicial practices
Almost 1,000 people including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, community leaders and medical professionals on Wednesday attended the Statewide Opioid Summit: A Medication Assisted Treatment and Addictions Primer for Justice Professionals.
Woman gets prison in death of baby delivered in bathtub
An Elkhart woman has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty related to the death of her son who was delivered in a Manchester University dorm room bathtub.
Trial in Boone deputy’s shooting death delayed until 2020
The possible death penalty trial for the man charged with fatally shooting a Boone County sheriff's deputy is being delayed for more than two years.
Sigler appointed special prosecutor in Hill investigation
Daniel Sigler, a senior prosecuting attorney from Fort Wayne, has been appointed special prosecutor as part of the investigation into sexual misconduct allegations surrounding Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill.
Court asked to deny Hill’s request to stop investigation
The Marion County Prosecutor’s office pushed back today against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s attempt to squash the appointment of a special prosecutor, saying his motion had “fatal flaws” and he was making a “dubious proposition.”
2 more men charged with murder in deputy’s killing
Two more men have been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Boone County sheriff’s deputy.
Public gets access to more trial court case documents Aug.1
Increased public access to court records will begin August 1, the Indiana Supreme Court said in an order Friday, after hearing recommendations from an advisory task force on remote access to and privacy of electronic court records.
Indiana State Police use new DNA software for crimes
Indiana State Police are catching criminals using new software that has the ability to analyze evidence containing the DNA of multiple people.
Judge drops suit of church that wants pot to be sacrament
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a pot-smoking Indianapolis church that wants marijuana to be recognized as a sacrament. The 3-year-old suit filed by the First Church of Cannabis was dismissed Friday.
Judge grants gag order against exoneration attorney
A northern Indiana judge has agreed to enter an injunction against a Chicago attorney accused of making “extrajudicial statements” in defense of a mentally-disabled man currently serving time for an Elkhart murder.
Woman takes plea deal in threat against judge
A Fort Wayne woman accused of threatening to kill a judge in Delaware County has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in a deal with prosecutors.
Habitual enhancement not concurrent sentence, COA holds
A habitual vehicular substance offender enhancement may not be imposed as a concurrent sentence, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Friday, sending a case in which that had been done back to the trial court.
Discipline file: Knox County judge tossed friend’s case
Knox Superior Court 2 Judge Ryan D. Johanningsmeier faces judicial discipline proceedings after he reinstated a close friend’s suspended driver’s license and allegedly suggested a deputy prosecutor dismiss the case.