2 northwest Indiana men charged with arson killing
Two northwestern Indiana men have been charged with murder and arson in the death of a third man in a house fire, Indiana State Police said Thursday.
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Report: Elkhart Police Department must track use of force
A northern Indiana city’s police department has a reputation for the rough treatment of residents and offending officers are seldom held accountable, according to an external review conducted following the release of video showing two officers repeatedly punching a handcuffed man.
Courts as conveners: Task force led by Rush releases recommendations for judicial response to opioid crisis
The National Judicial Opioid Task Force was created in 2017 to delve into ways the judiciary could get a handle on the opioid crisis. Co-chaired by Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush, the task force’s work culminated late last month in the release of a report that includes four findings and six recommendations for how courts can respond to the current drug scourge and be better prepared for the next addiction crisis.
COA reverses murder conviction in trailer fire over suspect’s statements
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a man’s murder conviction stemming from a trailer fire. The appellate court concluded the man was incorrectly denied his motions to suppress incriminating statements made to police after he indicated he was done talking to them.
Appeals on Wheels: Convicted man urges suppression of pre-Miranda statements
The Indiana Court of Appeals will travel to northern Indiana next week to hear oral arguments in a case about the admission of a man’s statements made to police after being handcuffed but before he was read his Miranda rights.
Child porn convictions, sentence upheld for father
A father convicted on multiple child porn charges has failed to find relief from his convictions or sentence at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Indianapolis police chief Roach to retire after accepting new job
Bryan Roach, chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department since January 2017, plans to retire at the end of the year, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Friday morning. Roach, a 28-year veteran at IMPD, said in a statement that he had accepted an undisclosed job outside of the department and city government.
Judge rules for Indianapolis police in black teen’s killing
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Indianapolis police in a lawsuit that accused officers of excessive force in a black teenager’s fatal shooting following a suspected armed carjacking.
Probe of police shooting could revive scrutiny of Buttigieg
The deadly shooting of an African-American man by a white police officer this summer in South Bend highlighted Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s struggle to win black support for his presidential campaign. The issue could resurface as the prosecutor leading an investigation into the matter says his work likely won’t be finished before February, just as voters begin deciding whether Buttigieg should be the Democratic nominee.
Authorities ID Indiana trooper shot in leg during standoff
Indiana State Police have identified a trooper who was shot in the leg during a standoff at a southern Indiana home. They say 18-year veteran Master Trooper Joseph Livers sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his lower left leg during the shooting about 8 a.m. Saturday near Madison.
Gary police shoot armed man who ignored their commands
Police officers in Gary have shot a man armed with a gun after he refused to follow their commands.
10 Clark Co. inmates charged in alleged jail drug-smuggling scheme
Ten inmates at a southern Indiana jail are charged in an alleged scheme that authorities say used codes to help smuggle drugs into the jail. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office says the inmates worked with an outside contact who picked up drugs and hid them in the jail’s lobby, which inmates cleaned.
Indiana judge convicts man in state trooper’s 2017 shooting
A southern Indiana judge has convicted an 81-year-old man in the shooting of a state trooper who pulled him over for erratic driving.
Reversal: New crime exception nulls ‘taint’ on traffic stop
The grant of a motion to suppress an allegedly unconstitutional traffic stop has been overturned, though the Indiana Court of Appeals did not reach the constitutional question in reversing the trial court.
Fishers police dog dies after apparent shooting amid pursuit
Suburban Indianapolis police say a police dog was apparently shot to death overnight while tracking suspects through a wooded area.
Evansville officer resigns 2 months after fight where man died
A southwestern Indiana police officer has resigned nearly two months after a Pennsylvania man died following a fight with police. Evansville police spokesman Officer Phil Smith said Thursday that Trevor Koontz’s resignation was voluntary.
State drug czar McClelland announces retirement
The state’s first drug czar is retiring, and his deputy director will replace him. Jim McClelland, who was appointed the state’s executive director for drug prevention, treatment and enforcement in January 2017, announced his retirement Thursday.
Woman’s death at Indianapolis church building called a homicide
Police in Indianapolis say the death of a woman at a Catholic church building has been ruled a homicide.
Democratic mayors win reelection in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne
The Democratic mayors of Indianapolis and Fort Wayne cruised to big victories in Tuesday’s local elections, denying Republicans their hopes of capturing leadership in either of Indiana’s largest cities.
Michigan City mayor facing felony charges amid reelection bid
The 2019 Michigan City mayoral election is facing a controversial legal undercurrent as felony charges remain pending against Mayor Ron Meer. But as the LaPorte County court system searches for a judge who can take the case, Meer is alleging an “untenable conflict of interest” and possible political motivations should remove the proceedings from the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office.