Hammerle on … ‘Life of Pi’; ‘Silver Linings Playbook’
Bob Hammerle reviews two movies who recently won awards at the 2013 Oscars.
neglect
Articles
Sidebars: Unique Pure Eatery offers options for all types of diners
We give Pure Eatery 3.5 gavels!
Law firm’s longtime chief gives suitors cold shoulder
Alan Levin has been managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg LLP for 16 years, far longer than the heads of most major Indianapolis law firms. But what most sets him apart is that he’s built his firm into a national practice by taking the maverick approach of going it alone instead of merging with an out-of-state rival.
Giving felons a chance to wipe their records clean
The Indiana General Assembly moving forward with expungement bill.
Overhaul of Criminal Code approved by House
The bill rewriting Indiana’s Criminal Code gained approval of the House of Representatives Monday by an 80 to 13 vote. The measure now moves to the Senate.
Bankruptcy ruling locks out insiders
A recent bankruptcy appeal tossing an Indianapolis shopping center’s reorganization plan further establishes that the control of equity in Chapter 11 cases will be subject to competitive bidding and that insiders might be out of luck.
Lawyers worry about impact of court decision on premises liability
The fatal shooting of a guest in a Speedway motel by a former employee and the resulting civil litigation leaves the Indiana Supreme Court to decide whether arguments of common law or a 1980s statute governs the premises owner’s degree of liability. Trial and defense lawyers are paying keen attention.
IDEM’s application of new antidegradation rule raising ire
After more than 10 years of protracted and, at times, contentious debate, Indiana finalized protections for some of its most clean waters. But less than a year after taking effect, a short letter denying an antidegradation application has unleashed criticism that the state is not implementing the rule as intended.
Tracking fracking in Indiana
Recent laws provide regulations, but an effort for advance plan approval gains little traction.
Attorney: Marion County small claims ‘forum shopping’ problems persist
A Chicago attorney who has filed at least six federal class-action lawsuits alleging collections companies engaged in “forum shopping” in Marion County Small Claims Courts said the practice appears to be continuing despite township court reforms announced last year.
Will small claims court stay or will it go?
Marion County’s busiest docket is at the center of a judge-trustee tug-of-war over location.
After the storm passes, legal questions swirl
Attorneys volunteer to provide advice and comfort to affected residents after natural disasters.
Former senior judge faces disciplinary proceedings
A former senior judge in northern Indiana faces disciplinary action for charges that she had a sexual relationship with a client to whom she was appointed as a public defender.
Opinions Feb. 25, 2013 ILD
Indiana Court of Appeals
Steven Bethel v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A03-1203-PC-139
Post conviction. Affirms finding that Bethel waived claims forming the bases of his request for post-conviction relief.
In the Matter of the Term. of the Parent-Child Rel. of: L.M. and M.M. v. The Indiana Dept. of Child Services (NFP)
79A02-1208-JT-678
Juvenile. Affirms termination of parental rights.
Juan Beamon v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1207-CR-571
Criminal. Reverses and remands conviction of Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor, holding that the evidence was insufficient to support the charge and ordering the trial court to enter a judgment on Class C felony sexual misconduct with a minor.
James Eskridge v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1111-PC-629
Post conviction. Affirms denial of petition for post-conviction relief from revocation of parole.
Tamara Downie, formerly Tamara Reed v. Jason Reed (NFP)
20A03-1208-DR-344
Domestic relations. Affirms order modifying child support.
Darrell L. Weightman and Donna Weightman v. Brian A. Nellis (NFP)
65A01-1207-CT-309
Civil tort. Affirms judgment on jury verdict in favor of Nellis on the Weightmans’ negligence claim.
Michael T. Ivy v. State of Indiana (NFP)
45A03-1207-CR-331
Criminal. Affirms sentence of conviction of battery as a Class A felony.
Shawn J. Fuller v. Carrie R. Fuller (NFP)
12A04-1205-DR-251
Domestic relations. Affirms trial court’s contempt finding and judgment in favor of Shawn Fuller.
Martel D. Cross v. State of Indiana (NFP)
45A05-1207-CR-369
Criminal. Affirms 30-year sentence for conviction of Class A felony voluntary manslaughter.
In the Matter of the Term. of the Parent-Child Rel. of: L.W., M.R. v. Indiana Dept. of Child Services (NFP)
19A01-1208-JT-393
Juvenile. Affirms termination of parental rights.
Robert Stokes v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1206-CR-500
Criminal. Affirms convictions of murder and Class B felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
Indiana Supreme Court and Indiana Tax Court posted no opinions Monday by IL deadline. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued no Indiana decisions by IL deadline.
Opinions Feb. 25, 2013
Indiana Court of Appeals
Jose Maldonado-Morales v. State of Indiana
20A05-1205-CR-255
Criminal. Affirms Class D felony conviction of domestic battery, ruling that a jury instruction on the doctrine of transferred intent was not an abuse of discretion and that the state was not required to prove that Maldonado-Morales knowingly or intentionally struck his ex-wife in the presence of their child.
Legislature considers changes to prosecutors’ and judges’ retirement funds
In the House of Representatives, a bill that would change features of the Prosecuting Attorneys Retirement Fund is eligible for a third reading vote. In the Senate, a bill calling for a study of judges’ pensions is ready for second reading Monday as well.
Transferred intent instruction not error in domestic violence trial
An Elkhart County man’s conviction for domestic battery stands after the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a jury instruction on the doctrine of transferred intent was not an abuse of discretion.
‘Sovereign citizen’ gets 40-year sentence
A self-identified sovereign citizen was sentenced last week to 40 years in prison for felony convictions of kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.