Judge denies defense motions for Indy house blast suspect
The defense of a suspect in a 2012 Indianapolis house explosion that killed two people and damaged dozens of homes has been dealt a setback after a judge denied two of its motions.
Murder
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Man’s conviction for murdering neighbor upheld
Citing a wide array of circumstantial evidence to support a Cass County man’s murder conviction in connection with his neighbor’s death, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction.
4th person faces murder charges in deadly house explosion
A man charged Thursday with murder and arson in a deadly Indianapolis house explosion was offered $5,000 to burn down the home two weeks before it was leveled by a natural gas blast, court documents allege.
Defendant in deadly Indiana explosion agrees to plea deal
One of three people charged in a deadly Indianapolis house explosion has reached a plea agreement, prosecutors said Friday — something an outside defense attorney said could mean a stronger case against the other two.
Competency could be key for death penalty in Indiana case
Indiana law experts say the mental health of a northwestern Indiana man charged with strangling two women and suspected of killing five others could complicate the case but shouldn't prevent the state from seeking the death penalty.
Ohio woman’s incriminating statements properly suppressed
An Ohio woman charged with murder and other crimes in Ripley County prevailed in the Indiana Court of Appeals Monday when the judges affirmed the grant of her motion to suppress incriminating statements she gave to police.
COA affirms 100-year sentence for 2 murders
A man with a history of mental illness was unable to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that his 100-year sentence for his role in the murder of two market employees in Elkhart is inappropriate.
Anderson man gets 65 years in cousin’s slaying
An Anderson man convicted last month in his cousin’s shooting death has been sentenced to 65 years in prison.
Man charged in parents’ killings held in contempt
A northwestern Indiana man accused of killing his parents was sentenced to 18 months in jail by a judge who found him in contempt of court for repeatedly interrupting a hearing on the charges.
Appeals court upholds teen’s 55-year sentence for murder
In a case of first impression, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the 55-year sentence imposed on a juvenile waived into adult court for the murder of a friend. The teen claimed he should have been sentenced under the alternative sentencing scheme available for juveniles.
Prosecutor to seek death penalty for mutilator
A prosecutor intends to seek the death penalty for a southern Indiana man who has confessed to fatally stabbing his girlfriend and mutilating her body, including cooking and eating some of her organs.
Indiana high court to hear accomplice death appeal
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear the appeal of three Elkhart men convicted of murder after an accomplice was fatally shot by a homeowner during a break-in.
Inmate seeks early release in student’s 1993 death
An inmate convicted in the 1993 robbery and shooting death of a Ball State University student is seeking an early release from prison.
Attorneys seek competency exam in homicide case
Attorneys for a 20-year-old Fort Wayne man charged with killing a woman in a cemetery and setting her body on fire have requested mental health experts examine him to determine if he is competent to stand trial.
Enhancement to sentence upheld by COA
Finding Indiana’s criminal gang enhancement statute can be understood by individuals of ordinary intelligence, the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected a man’s challenge to his 175-year aggregate sentence.
COA revises neglect of dependent conviction stemming from boy’s death
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a man’s murder conviction following the death of his girlfriend’s son after he seriously injured the boy while punishing him. But the court reversed his Class B felony neglect of a dependent conviction based on double jeopardy concerns.
Judge rules man on death row not competent to be executed
A special judge in Johnson County has ruled that Michael Dean Overstreet is not currently competent to be executed.
Judge rejects public funds for murder appeal
A Delaware County judge has again rejected a Muncie woman's request to have taxpayers help fund her appeal of her conviction in the torture slaying of her 5-year-old Haitian cousin.
Man charged with killing aunt due in court
Attorneys for a central Indiana man accused of murder in his aunt's death contend he has been incarcerated too long without being brought to trial.
7th Circuit will hear killer’s appeal en banc
The full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether an Arkansas man on death row should die for killing a Texas woman nearly 20 years ago. The judges decided Wednesday to grant Bruce Carneil Webster’s petition for rehearing en banc.