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Opinions May 30, 2014 ILD

May 30, 2014

Indiana Court of Appeals
In the Matter of the Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship of: O.V., Minor Child, J.V., Mother v. Indiana Department of Child Services (NFP)
71A03-1312-JT-499
Juvenile. Affirms involuntary termination of mother J.V.’s parental rights.

Brooke Tubbs v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A02-1309-CR-771
Criminal. Affirms 18-month executed sentence and convictions of Class D felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated and Class A misdemeanor driving while suspended.

Charlie S. Hines III v. State of Indiana (NFP)
89A05-1307-CR-362
Criminal. Affirms convictions of two counts of Class B felony dealing cocaine.

Thomas H. Kramer, Member and Manager of Domus Property Investments, LLC v. Mark Kramer, and Domus Property Investments, LLC (NFP)
71A04-1305-PL-261
Civil plenary. Reverses trial court ruling that Mark Kramer violated a non-compete clause with regard to one rental property and finds that he violated those terms with regard to three properties. Remands for total judgment of $333,156 in Thomas Kramer’s favor. Affirms denial of legal fees and prejudgment interest for Thomas Kramer.

In Re the Marriage of: Michelle Schlotterback and Terry Schlotterback, Terry Schlotterback v. Michelle Schlotterback (NFP)
57A05-1306-DR-321
Domestic relation. Affirms denial of Terry Schlotterback’s motion to correct error relating to the division of the estate amassed during marriage and his motion to correct error with regard to the uninsured medical expenses of the parties’ children.

Dietrich D. Smith, Jr v. State of Indiana (NFP)
45A05-1401-CR-31
Criminal. Dismisses appeal over whether Smith’s pretrial and earned credit time was properly awarded by the Department of Correction because the record is inadequate to make a determination.

Ronald Buttermore v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A05-1309-CR-472
Criminal. Affirms revocation of probation after convictions of Class C felony criminal confinement, Class D felonies battery, intimidation and strangulation, and Class A misdemeanors domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of a crime.

Raven McGinty v. State of Indiana (NFP)
46A05-1310- CR-500
Criminal. Affirms 45-year sentence for multiple felony convictions of child molestation and other sex crimes.

Alma Stanbary v. Madison-Jefferson County Library (NFP)
39A01-1312-CT-537
Civil tort. Affirms summary judgment in favor of the library.

Jeremiah Workman v. State of Indiana (NFP)
27A02-1312-CR-1020
Criminal. Affirms revocation of probation.

Indiana Supreme Court and Indiana Tax Court issued no opinions by IL deadline Friday.7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued no Indiana opinions by IL deadline Friday.

Opinions May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

Indiana Court of Appeals
In re the Paternity of V.A., (Minor Child), R.A. v. B.Y.
39A04-1310-JP-512
Juvenile. Affirms a special judge’s ruling that the judge who heard evidence remanded to the trial court from an earlier appeal should rule on the remanded issues, as required by Trial Rule 63(A). The panel rejected father R.A.’s objection claiming that his change-of-judge request trumps that rule, finding that the change-of-judge rule only applies prospectively, while Rule 63(A) operates retroactively to ensure that the remanded issues are considered by the judge who heard the evidence.

Admitting rifle into evidence not abuse of discretion, COA rules

May 30, 2014

Telling the jury that an assault rifle was found in the car of the defendant did not unduly prejudice the jurors, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.

COA affirms remand to prior judge over father’s objection

May 30, 2014

A special judge appointed in a paternity case ruled correctly that matters in the case remanded by the Court of Appeals should be heard by the prior judge who heard the evidence, the appellate court held in a second appeal on the matter.

COA: Hip-replacement tort cases must be heard where implants were done

May 30, 2014

Plaintiffs from Mississippi and Virginia may not pursue litigation in Marion County over defective replacement hip devices manufactured in northern Indiana, the Court of Appeals ruled Friday.

Justifiable reason to stop driver enough to confirm subsequent conviction

May 30, 2014

Although a police officer began following a pick-up truck after he mistakenly ran the wrong license plate number, the driver’s conviction will stand because the officer did not initiate the stop until he observed the driver make a traffic violation.

180 lawyers suspended over CLE, fee or IOLTA violations

May 30, 2014

The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday suspended 180 lawyers who failed to pay attorney registration fees, meet continuing legal education requirements or submit certification of Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts.

Baker to mark 25 years on Court of Appeals

May 30, 2014

The longest-serving current judge on Indiana’s Court of Appeals will mark his 25th year on the appellate bench June 2.

Opinions May 29, 2014 ILD

May 29, 2014

Indiana Court of Appeals
Mauricio Reyes-Flores v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1310-CR-502
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class C felony criminal recklessness and Class A misdemeanor domestic battery.

Lance Stover v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1310-CR-507
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Holly and Christopher Dunn, Holly and Benjamin Rothenbush, and Tomi and Michael Meyer v. Kathryn Davis and For the Children Medical Mission Foundation, Inc. (NFP)
02A03-1307-PL-269
Civil plenary. Affirms summary judgment to For the Children Medical Mission Foundation on breach of contract and fraud claims.

Anthony Flores v. Blake A. Hudson (NFP)
02A03-1307-PO-279
Protective order. Affirms dismissal of petition for the protective order sought against Hudson.

Ray A. Chamorro v. State of Indiana (NFP)
91A05-1309-CR-445
Criminal. Affirms murder conviction.

Danny Shane Claspell v. State of Indiana (NFP)
18A02-1310-CR-880
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class C felony child molesting but reverses sentence and remands for it to be reduced to the advisory sentence of four years.

Dejuan D. Cox v. State of Indiana (NFP)
32A01-1310-CR-437
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B felony dealing in cocaine; reverses the sentencing order in part and remands for further proceedings.

Robert L. McFall v. State of Indiana (NFP)
62A05-1309-CR-446
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A felony dealing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school. Remands for further sentencing proceedings on the charge of possession of paraphernalia.

Akeem Turner v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1310-CR-900
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class B felony burglary and Class D felony theft.

Steven Sullivan v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1309-CR-750
Criminal. Affirms denial of petition to issue order terminating parole.

Gabriel Senteney v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1309-CR-818
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.

Latroya Rucker v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1311-CR-918
Criminal. Affirms order that Rucker pay $240 in restitution to the owner of the vehicle whose windshield she smashed.

Betty Woods v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1309-CR-805
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B misdemeanor disorderly conduct but reverses conviction of Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.

Dennis Knight v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A03-1401-CR-40
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B felony robbery.

R.C. v. J.Q. (NFP)
49A04-1308-DR-425
Domestic relation. Affirms the trial court’s denial of father’s motion to continue the final hearing and concludes that father waived his claim of error under Evidence Rule 612. The trial court’s child support order is supported by the evidence. Remands with instructions to issue an order containing findings sufficient to support its decision to restrict father’s parenting time or enter a new order without the restriction.

In re the Paternity of T.T.: D.T. v. S.B. (NFP)
Juvenile. Affirms denial of petition to modify court-ordered child support for T.T.
85A02-1311-JP-1006

Mardel Hill v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A03-1309-CR-378
Criminal. Affirms convictions and sentence for Class B felony burglary, Class B felony attempted arson, Class D felony criminal mischief and Class D felony intimidation.

The Indiana Tax Court posted no opinions by IL deadline Thursday. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals posted no Indiana decisions by IL deadline.

Opinions May 29, 2014

May 29, 2014

Indiana Supreme Court
Stacy Smith and Robert Smith, Individually and as Co-Personal Representatives of the Estate of Johnny Dupree Smith, Deceased v. Delta Tau Delta, Inc. and Beta Psi Chapter of Delta Tau Delta, et al.
54S01-1405-CT-356
Civil tort. Affirms summary judgment in favor of national fraternity Delta Tau Delta on the Smiths’ wrongful death complaint. There is no designated evidentiary material that shows that the national fraternity had a right to exercise direct day-to-day oversight and control of the behavior of the activities of the local fraternity and its members. Concludes as a matter of law that an agency relationship does not exist between the national fraternity and the local fraternity or its members.

Ohio event to look at Indiana elections

May 29, 2014

The National Commission on Voting Rights is holding a public hearing in Columbus, Ohio, Friday for anyone with a stake in Indiana and Ohio elections. The event is part of a series of nationwide hearings held to collect testimony on the current landscape of voting and elections in the U.S.

Justices order further proceedings in underinsured motorist coverage case

May 29, 2014

Because issues of material fact remain regarding the applicable level of underinsured motorist coverage provided by a policy on a semi-tractor trailer, the Indiana Supreme Court reversed summary judgment for the insurance company.

Man kicked out of community corrections for assaulting inmate loses appeal

May 29, 2014

A community corrections program has the authority to not accept a man after being released from prison because he kicked another inmate in the face while assigned to a community transition program, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Thursday.

Judges affirm expungement of sheriff deputy’s arrest

May 29, 2014

The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a trial court’s decision to grant a sheriff deputy’s petition for expungement of his arrest record dealing with four counts of Class D felony theft. His employer argued that he received pay from the police force while working at other jobs.

Sisters can’t prove brother unduly influenced mother in crafting estate plan

May 29, 2014

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the order by a trial court that the execution of an option contract by a woman to her son was enforceable. The woman’s daughters claimed the contract was a result of undue influence.

Doctor’s statute of limitations defense in med mal claim rejected by justices

May 29, 2014

A doctor who chose to perform just one biopsy instead of two on a woman who later was diagnosed with cervical cancer is not entitled to summary judgment on his defense asserting the medical malpractice statute of limitations, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

Justices affirm judgment in favor of national fraternity in wrongful death action

May 29, 2014

A national fraternity assumed no duty to protect local chapter pledges and is not vicariously liable for the negligence of local chapter officers and representatives, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The justices affirmed summary judgment for Delta Tau Delta in a wrongful death action brought by a deceased pledge’s family.

Court affirms Steuben County couple’s 2006 real property assessment

May 29, 2014

A Steuben County couple could not convince the Indiana Tax Court to find that the $292,800 land assessment of their residential property in 2006 was too high.

Dairy Queen did not discriminate against blind employee

May 28, 2014

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of a firm that operates Dairy Queens in Indianapolis on a former employee’s claim the employer violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Indianapolis Bar Foundation awards grant to Joseph Maley Foundation

May 28, 2014

The Indianapolis Bar Foundation has awarded its $35,000 Impact Fund Grant to the Joseph Maley Foundation, the IBF announced Wednesday. The money will fund the Joseph Maley Foundation’s new parent education and pro bono legal assistance program for central Indiana students with individualized education plans.

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