Lake County - The Indiana Lawyer

Indiana, Illinois AGs investigate after fetal remains found

September 17, 2019 | Associated Press

Indiana’s attorney general said Monday he will work with his Illinois counterpart to investigate what he called the “grisly discovery” of more than 2,000 medically preserved fetal remains at the Illinois home of a late doctor who performed abortions in Indiana. Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill said he and Democratic Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul have “agreed to work together” as Hill’s office coordinates an investigation of the remains found at the home of Dr. Ulrich Klopfer, who died Sept. 3.

Justices: Amended statute retroactively applies in eminent domain action

September 16, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

Indiana Supreme Court justices have determined that an amended statute dealing with ownership transfer in instances of eminent domain may be applied retroactively.

Merrillville man sentenced in killing girlfriend’s mom, brother

September 13, 2019 | Associated Press

A 23-year prison sentence was handed a northwest Indiana man for the 2017 murder of his girlfriend’s mother and brother.

Ex-Brinks driver pleads guilty to Hammond armored truck robbery

September 11, 2019

A Chicago man has pleaded guilty of an armored truck robbery in northwestern Indiana that netted several suspects more than $600,000 in cash.

Appeals court reverses ‘draconian’ dismissal of will challenge

September 6, 2019 | Dave Stafford

Calling a trial court’s dismissal of a relative’s petition to contest a will “draconian,” the Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday reinstated the petition and sent the case back to Lake County to be heard in the superior rather than circuit court.

Man convicted of selling historic bridge for scrap gets prison

September 6, 2019 | Associated Press

A northwestern Indiana scrap-metal dealer convicted of razing a historic railroad bridge and selling the metal has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Supreme Court hosting e-filing celebration Wednesday

September 3, 2019 | IL Staff

To celebrate the conclusion of a years-long rollout of electronic filing in all 92 Indiana counties, a statewide e-filing celebration will be hosted by the Indiana Supreme Court to mark the milestone. The celebration will take place at 12 p.m. Wednesday in the Sullivan County Courthouse.

Late lawmaker’s husband convicted in attorney’s slaying

August 29, 2019 | Associated Press

A Lake Criminal Court jury returned a guilty verdict Wednesday in the murder case against William Landske, widower of the late Republican state Sen. Sue Landske of Cedar Lake. The 84-year-old faces about 40-60 years in prison when sentenced Oct. 3 for the death of 64-year-old attorney T. Edward Page, of Hobart.

Chicago-based gang member to plead guilty in rival’s killing

August 27, 2019 | Associated Press

A member of a Chicago-based street gang plans to plead guilty to murder and racketeering charges for his alleged role in a rival gang member’s killing.

Dealer’s conviction for machine gun, laser sight sales upheld

August 23, 2019 | Dave Stafford

A Pennsylvania gun dealer who was convicted of multiple federal counts after he conspired with Lake County law enforcement officers to procure machine guns and laser sights lost his appeal Friday.

Ex-East Chicago health offical’s suit over firing proceeds in part

August 20, 2019

A former East Chicago city employee who has alleged her constitutional rights were violated when she was fired from the city Health Department in 2015 has secured a partial victory from the Northern Indiana District Court, which also ruled partially in favor of city officials.

Teen murder wavier to adult court affirmed; police custody issue splits COA

August 19, 2019 | Dave Stafford

A juvenile court’s rulings in a murder case implicating a 15-year-old boy who had gone to the police station to answer questions after he had been treated for stab wounds were upheld Monday by the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Gary police fatally shoot man during traffic stop

August 19, 2019 | Associated Press

Police in northwestern Indiana have fatally shot a man during a traffic stop. The Lake County Coroner’s Office issued a news release identifying the man as 25-year-old Rashad Cunningham.

Indiana AG asks high court to take up Munster Schools retirement pay dispute

August 16, 2019 | Associated Press and IL Staff

Indiana’s attorney general is turning to the state’s high court in his battle to force two retired school superintendents to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars. Attorney General Curtis Hill recently filed a petition asking the Indiana Supreme Court to accept transfer of his civil lawsuit against former School Town of Munster superintendents William Pfister and Richard Sopko.

Lake County announces 3 finalists to succeed Pera

August 15, 2019 | IL Staff

Two magistrate judges and a town court judge have been selected as finalists to fill a judicial vacancy in Lake Superior Court, Civil Division 6.

NIPSCO loses appeal in damaged gas line small-claims suit

August 14, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

An excavation company found at fault for the destruction of a new home’s gas line will still have to pay up to the Northern Indiana Public Service Company despite the latter’s assertion that the company could not be held liable for a landscaper’s failure to mark the gas lines.

Last Indiana county open for voluntary e-filing

August 12, 2019 | IL Staff

Electronic filing is available in each of Indiana’s 92 counties now that Sullivan County rolled out voluntary e-filing this month. Sullivan Circuit and Superior Courts were the last to make the e-filing transition across Indiana’s 92 counties, implementing voluntary e-filing Friday and concluding the statewide rollout in county courts.

Self-described retired drag queen gets 20 years for Gary slaying

August 9, 2019

A 75-year-old self-described retired drag queen has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally stabbing a man in northwestern Indiana who allegedly used a gay slur during a dispute.

Changes announced on Lake Circuit Court bench

August 7, 2019 | IL Staff

The recent appointment of a Lake County magistrate to the superior court bench has led to several changes in the makeup of the county’s circuit court.

Couple severely injured in motorcycle crash loses appeal of evidentiary rulings

August 6, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

A Dyer, Indiana, couple severely injured in a motorcycle accident has lost an appeal of a products liability suit against a motorcycle gear website, a tire manufacturer and Harley-Davidson.

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