COA reverses trial court’s modification in child custody case
A trial court erred in granting a petition for sole custody of a child to his father and will need to revisit its decision, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Judge Melissa S. May
Articles
Heavy-hitter women judges to be honored at ISBA 19th Amendment event
Past and present female judges from across the state will gather this month at an Indiana State Bar Association event to reflect on the history and significance of the 19th Amendment.
COA reduces 300-year child molesting sentence
A man convicted on numerous counts of child molesting had his 300-year sentence slightly reduced after the Indiana Court of Appeals found no evidence in the record to support one of his convictions.
COA allows Insurance Dept. claim in name of deceased individuals to proceed
A proposed complaint before the Indiana Department of Insurance was not void just because it was filed in the name of a deceased person on behalf of a deceased victim of alleged medical malpractice, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Expelled county councilman loses appeal
A former Starke County Council member who was expelled from public office for allegedly making bigoted statements while attending the Association of Indiana Counties conference in Indianapolis lost his attempt to regain his seat after the Indiana Court of Appeals found his arguments challenging his expulsion were “incomprehensible.”
Appellate court declines to issue ‘advisory’ opinion in estate dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday granted rehearing in an estate case to reiterate that it does not issue advisory opinions.
COA upholds admission of evidence from challenged pat-down search
A police officer was justified in conducting a search of Christian Jamar Triblet after seeing a bulge on the right side of his pants that was larger than a mobile phone, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday, affirming a lower court ruling denying Triblet’s motion to suppress evidence.
COA rejects challenge to text message evidence, upholds meth dealing conviction
A man convicted of dealing meth based largely on text messages failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that the messages were improperly admitted at his trial.
Will dispute between siblings over family business assets remanded
A son who inherited the family business from his father must make his assets available for an appraisal after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined he may have received a “gift” subject to an abatement.
Res judicata bars property owner’s insurance suit, COA rules
A trial court properly rejected a second lawsuit brought by a Gary property owner who had already sued its insurer for coverage in a previous case involving the same parties, losses and issues, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
Murder convictions ineligible for expungement, appeals court rules
An Indiana trial court properly denied expungement to an out-of-state inmate convicted of murder in Indiana, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Appeals court rejects bid to cut 120-year sentence in Gary double-slaying
A Gary man convicted of a 2003 double-murder failed to convince an appeals panel that his 120-year sentence should be reduced. The Indiana Court of Appeals rejected the arguments Wednesday.
State argues against new trial for man freed in 2002 Elkhart killing
It’s been more than 15 years since Andrew Royer was convicted of an Elkhart County murder and more than nine months after he was freed due to concerns over his confession and other evidence, but his case is not over yet. Instead, it’s back at the Indiana Court of Appeals, where the state is asking for the reversal of an order giving Royer a new trial.
COA orders new hearing on $32K civil forfeiture
A Hancock County trial court must revisit the forfeiture of more than $32,000 related to a marijuana bust after the Indiana Court of Appeals found errors in various evidentiary rulings.
COA affirms PCR denial after home explosion
A Dearborn County man who detonated a homemade bomb in his own home failed to prevail on his appellate claims for post-conviction relief.
On rehearing, appellate court reaffirms ruling against animal shelter
An Indianapolis animal shelter still must face a negligence lawsuit from a family whose daughter was mauled by an adopted dog after the Indiana Court of Appeals reaffirmed its reversal of summary judgment for the shelter on Wednesday. The appellate court granted rehearing for the limited purpose of clarifying the issues of fact that preclude summary judgment.
Mother’s voluntary termination of rights reversed for lack of advisement
A Henry County mother will get the opportunity to challenge the voluntary relinquishment of her parental rights after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that she was not given a proper advisement before signing a relinquishment form.
Appeals panel splits on division of $1M retirement accounts in prenup dispute
A dispute over the terms of a prenuptial agreement has resulted in the division of part of a man’s nearly $1 million retirement accounts with his ex-wife. A dissenting judge, however, would not award the wife any portion of the retirement funds.
Appeals court reverses for patient in med-mal case
A woman suing her doctor for medical malpractice won a reversal in her favor Friday after the Indiana Court of Appeals found she provided sufficient evidence regarding the applicable standard of care.
COA: Intelligence text exclusion not abuse of discretion in residential entry case
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a Lawrence County man’s residential entry conviction, finding the exclusion of his psychological assessment from evidence was not an abuse of discretion.