Lake County - The Indiana Lawyer

NW Indiana scrap dealer convicted of razing historic bridge

December 14, 2018

A federal jury has convicted a northwestern Indiana scrap-metal dealer of interstate transportation of stolen goods for allegedly demolishing a historic railroad bridge and selling the metal. Prosecutors said Kenneth Morrison and a work crew cut up the unused Monon Bridge that spanned the Grand Calumet River near downtown Hammond and sold it to Illinois scrapyards for $18,000. He also allegedly sold parts to an East Chicago scrap dealer.

Lake County last to adopt e-filing in 2018

December 13, 2018

Lake County has officially adopted electronic filing, making it the last county that will roll out e-filing this year. That leaves seven counties left to implement e-filing, three of which have yet to deploy the Odyssey electronic case management system.

Group seeks 2nd hearing on tainted East Chicago site’s cleanup

December 10, 2018

East Chicago community group is asking for a second public hearing on the proposed cleanup of the site of a public housing complex that was evacuated and demolished because of industrial contamination. The East Chicago Calumet Coalition Community Advisory Group says many residents didn’t get to speak at a Nov. 29 hearing about a $26.5 million project to remove tainted soil from the site of the West Calumet Housing Complex.

Sheriff wants new armored vehicle to deal with ‘threats’

December 6, 2018

A sheriff in northwestern Indiana wants to buy a $360,000 armored vehicle, but local officials are not so sure.

Munster man pleads guilty to post office pipe bomb

December 6, 2018

A man charged in a pipe bomb explosion at a northwestern Indiana post office says he was targeting an attorney who had filed a lawsuit against him. Eric Krieg of Munster pleaded guilty Tuesday to making an unregistered destructive device and other charges.

Judge denies new trial in off-duty officer’s 1980 death

December 6, 2018

A judge has denied a request for a new trial for an alleged getaway driver convicted in the 1980 shooting death of an off-duty northwestern Indiana police officer. James Hill was sentenced to 47 years in prison in October after a jury earlier convicted him of murder in perpetuation of robbery and attempted robbery, and Judge Salvador Vasquez determined there was no need for a new trial.

Lake County judge appointed; finalists named for second vacancy

December 5, 2018

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed a magistrate judge as the newest judge of the Lake Superior Court and will soon begin the process of filling another Lake County court vacancy.

‘Reasonable diligence’ required estate to inquire into medical malpractice

November 28, 2018

Finding that it was not necessary to pinpoint the trigger date for when the clock began running on the statute of limitations in a medical malpractice case, the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the denial of summary judgment against a physician, medial practice and hospital.

Hammond man sues police, seeks damages for crash injuries

November 26, 2018

A northwestern Indiana man alleges in a federal lawsuit that he suffered a traumatic brain injury when a police officer ran a red light and struck his vehicle in 2016.

US Supreme Court pushes deadline on Lake Michigan beach case

November 26, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court won’t decide until next year whether to consider arguments from residents of Chief Justice John Roberts’ Indiana hometown of Long Beach over ownership of the Lake Michigan community’s shoreline. The case could have a ripple effect for public and private property rights across the Great Lakes states.

Order to return 5-unit apartment to single-family house upheld

November 15, 2018

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a public works and safety board’s order that a man restore a property he uses as apartments back to a single-family dwelling after finding the home to be unsafe and sufficient evidence proved it was not a multi-family unit.

Second man faces charge in off-duty officer’s 1980 death

November 15, 2018

Another man is facing a murder charge in the 1980 shooting death of an off-duty northwestern Indiana police officer. A 68-year-old man released this summer from an Illinois prison sentence has been charged in the slaying of Hammond officer Lawrence Pucalik.

Scrap dealer’s request to dismiss Hammond bridge theft charge denied

November 13, 2018

A federal judge has denied a northwestern Indiana scrap metal dealer’s request to dismiss charges for allegedly demolishing a historic Hammond railroad bridge and selling the metal for $18,000. Kenneth Morrison argued the grand jury didn’t get an accurate picture of whether the city of Hammond or the railroad company owned the Monon Bridge, but Judge Philip Simon said prosecutors only have to prove Morrison had no claim to the scrap metal.

Hobart man charged with murder in death of father, 80

November 12, 2018

A northwestern Indiana man is accused of killing his 80-year-old father, who was found mortally wounded in his bathtub.

Interview schedule set for Lake Superior judgeship

November 12, 2018

Interviews with 19 applicants for the Lake Superior Court opening left by the resignation of Judge Jesse M. Villalpando are scheduled to take place next month over a two-day period.

19 to be interviewed for Lake Superior judgeship

November 6, 2018

The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission will begin conducting interviews to fill an upcoming vacancy in the Lake Superior Court left by Judge Jesse M. Villalpando, following his decision to not seek retention earlier this year.

Lake County Sheriff’s Department can’t account for missing $7,600

November 5, 2018

A northwestern Indiana sheriff’s department says it can’t account for more than $7,600 missing from one of its divisions. Lake County Police Chief William said the county Sheriff’s Department can’t account for the money that an audit by the State Board of Accounts found missing from its Civil Division last year.

Jury acquits Hammond man accused of killing woman’s dogs

November 1, 2018

A jury has acquitted a northwestern Indiana man who authorities say stole two dogs that belonged to a woman he formerly dated and killed them. A jury on Wednesday cleared 24-year-old Anthony Priestas of two felony counts of killing a domestic animal.

Summary judgment for former sheriff reversed after sexual assault allegations against deputy

October 30, 2018

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned summary judgment for a former Lake County sheriff sued after a local woman alleged a sheriff’s deputy sexually assaulted her while in her home, with the court finding the woman’s respondeat superior claim against the sheriff can proceed.

Supreme Court accepts resignation, imposes suspension

October 26, 2018

The Indiana Supreme Court has accepted the resignation of a Hoosier attorney who faced multiple felony drunken-driving counts. Justices also ordered reciprocal discipline for another lawyer who was removed from the practice of law by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

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