Judge rejects Dish TV’s motion to dismiss WISH-TV discrimination lawsuit
A federal judge on Wednesday rejected Dish TV’s motion to dismiss a discrimination lawsuit brought against it by WISH-TV Channel 8 parent Circle City Broadcasting.
Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt
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Pratt named Indiana Southern District Court chief judge
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has been named the new chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the court announced Monday, making history as the first person of color to lead the court.
7th Circuit orders hearing on counsel’s performance in habeas case
A man who received an enhanced federal sentence for robbery convictions has been granted a hearing on his ineffective assistance of counsel claim. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that under the facts of this case, defense counsel may have been required to anticipate future developments in caselaw.
Man sentenced 75 years for bomb threats, extortion
A California man accused of making online threats to bomb two suburban Indianapolis high schools in addition to a slew of other crimes was sentenced Friday by a federal judge to 75 years in prison.
Maley: Senior status for Springmann, Flaum creates vacancies
Rules governing divisional jurisdiction vary in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, as illustrated by some recent rulings.
Motorists crossing Louisville bridges claim they were fraudulently billed
In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, a group of drivers allege the vendors hired to operate the RiverLink toll system for the three bridges between Louisville, Kentucky, and southern Indiana fraudulently tacked on administrative fees and penalties.
Lawsuit challenges Indiana laws on disposal of fetal remains
An Indianapolis abortion clinic is suing the state of Indiana, challenging provisions of a state law upheld last year by the U.S. Supreme Court requiring fetal remains to be buried or cremated after an abortion.
Trial postponed in case of alleged excessive force in Muncie
A judge has granted a long delay in the trial of three Muncie police officers who were charged in an investigation of excessive force.
Judge: Memory-impaired man’s suit claiming Carmel City Hall assault may proceed in part
A man who has difficulty forming new memories and therefore records his interactions on video may proceed with a lawsuit on narrowed claims alleging he was injured after a confrontation with a city attorney in Carmel City Hall as the man recorded his interactions with staff.
Indiana ordered to reply by Monday to vote-by-mail appeal
The state of Indiana has been ordered to respond by Monday to an appeal in a federal lawsuit seeking no-excuse absentee voting in the Nov. 3 general election, signaling the appellate court in Chicago may fast-track the challenge over mail-in voting just over two months ahead of the election.
Court ruling against Indiana no-excuse absentee voting appealed
A federal appeals court is being asked to take an expedited appeal of a ruling against no-excuse absentee voting in Indiana’s Nov. 3 general election, or to enter an immediate injunction that would permit all Hoosiers to vote by mail due to the pandemic.
Former official for Carmel-based fraternity foundation sentenced to 27 months
The former financial coordinator of a charitable foundation operated by Carmel-based women’s fraternity Zeta Tau Alpha has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to embezzling about $450,000 from the organization.
Federal rulings block Indiana voter roll purge, absentee ballot signature match law
Finding Indiana’s process for matching signatures on absentee ballots is unconstitutional, a federal judge has permanently enjoined the Secretary of State and other election officials from rejecting any mail-in ballot on the basis of a signature mismatch without providing adequate notice to the voter.
WISH-TV sues AT&T over fee negotiations, claims racial discrimination
Indianapolis-based Circle City Broadcasting, which owns WISH-TV Channel 8 and WNDY-TV Channel 23, has filed a lawsuit that accuses AT&T of racial discrimination as the two companies battle over retransmission fees.
Jackson County asks 7th Circuit to allow Christmas Nativity scene display
The legal battle over the constitutionality of a Jackson County Christmas display on public property is continuing in federal court, with advocates for a Nativity scene urging the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court injunction.
Indianapolis office manager gets 37-month sentence for embezzlement
An Indianapolis woman who embezzled nearly $540,000 from a company where she worked as controller and office manager for seven years has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison.
7th Circuit: Ineffective attorneys argument in fraud case deserves a hearing
After the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the district court’s denial of his motion to vacate his sentence, an Indiana man will have the chance to present his argument that if he had not followed the advice of his “constitutionally ineffective” lawyers and turned down a plea offer, his sentence would have been significantly less than the 92 months he received. One of the lawyers he accuses is now a magistrate judge.
Former Indianapolis teachers union chief gets 16 months
The former president of the Indianapolis Education Association has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $100,000 from the union.
Total Wine & More wins round in court fight to open in Indiana
Total Wine & More, the national alcohol retailer with more than 200 stores in 24 states, is a step closer to doing business in Indiana after a federal court has temporarily barred the Hoosier state from enforcing its statutory prohibitions that keep out-of-state businesses from holding liquor permits.
Jackson County Courthouse Nativity scene violates First Amendment, judge rules
A Nativity scene displayed on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, a federal judge has ruled, entering an injunction prohibiting the county’s as-is display of the Christian Christmas scene.