Amid COVID-19 surge, Indiana’s LaGrange County requires face masks
A northern Indiana health department is requiring everyone to wear a mask or face covering over the mouth and nose following a steep increase of cases since Memorial Day.
Northern Indiana
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Former northern Indiana judge accused of defrauding estates
A one-time Jasper County judge is accused of multiple counts of attorney misconduct related to his representation of two elderly clients’ estates, potentially involving the misappropriation of hundreds of thousands of dollars to his law firm, an office employee and a family member after the clients died.
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Hometown roots, statewide respect: John Whiteleather named 2019 Legendary Lawyer
“I’ve had a great career,” said longtime Whitley County attorney and prosecutor John Whiteleather, “and I hope I have contributed back to the community for what it provided to me.” Whiteleather’s colleagues on the bench and bar assure him that he did, recognizing him as the Indiana Bar Foundation’s 2019 Legendary Lawyer.
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Articles
NIPSCO’s coal ash removal sparks environmental concerns
A major utility’s plan to close five Indiana coal ash ponds at a power plant along Lake Michigan and move coal ash to a landfill has sparked concerns from environmental activists about how the dust kicked up by that project will be controlled.
Comment sought on reappointment of Northern District magistrate judge
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is seeking comments from members of the bar and public on whether a Hammond magistrate judge should be reappointed to another eight-year term.
Public, press can be included in electronic federal court proceedings
Federal courts that have been forced to close courthouses to the public because of the novel coronavirus pandemic have been authorized to use technology to provide the public and press with continued access to court proceedings.
Northern District OKs video, phone conferencing in criminal cases
Some criminal proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, including pleas and sentencings, are now authorized to take place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the district court announced this week.
Elkhart considers new $500K legal bill for suit over overturned conviction
A northern Indiana city is weighing spending another $500,000 to defend itself against a lawsuit filed by a man whose attempted murder conviction was thrown out because prosecutors didn’t disclose that the state’s sole eyewitness underwent hypnosis to sharpen his memory.
7th Circuit: Mother’s sentence, restitution order affirmed in child porn case
A Hammond woman convicted for possession of child porn will keep her enhanced sentence and restitution order after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the rulings in her case Friday.
Indiana community battling shoreline erosion files lawsuit
An Indiana community along Lake Michigan has filed a federal lawsuit over its battle with shoreline erosion, saying the town’s infrastructure is in danger of “total destruction.” The suit comes as homeowners and communities along the lakeshore deal with record high water levels in the Great Lakes.
Split justices rule for bar after fight left patron blind
A split Indiana Supreme Court reversed Tuesday in a northern Indiana bar’s favor, finding the establishment did not owe a duty to a man who was blinded after bar fight took place in its parking lot.
Northern District: Bankruptcy fees must be paid as cases are e-filed
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana has announced updates will go into effect March 2 regarding the payment of filing fees for electronically filed cases.
Union workers involved in beatings plead guilty to extortion conspiracy
Two union members involved in a fight outside of a church in Lake County have pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act extortion conspiracy after attempting to obtain union contracts from two employers that refused to only hire local union workers.
Split COA reduces manslaughter sentence after judge’s ‘compensation’
A split Indiana Court of Appeals panel has reduced a man’s voluntary manslaughter sentence after finding the judge who sentenced him did so in part “to compensate for what he believed to be an erroneous verdict.”
NIPSCO paying $1 million fine over hiring complaint
A major Indiana utility company has agreed to pay a $1 million fine in settling a federal complaint that it discriminated against some 1,500 female or black job applicants.
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.
Memorial service announced for Valpo law professor
A celebration of life for attorney and Valparaiso Law School professor David Welter, who died unexpectedly Monday, has been scheduled for Friday. Welter, a graduate and longtime faculty member of the northern Indiana law school, was 59.
Chicago man gets 10 years after ATF agent injured in ambush
A Chicago man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in an ambush of federal agents in Gary.
Justices accept certified question on statute of repose exception
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to provide clarification on whether the Indiana Products Liability Act’s statute of repose may apply to a judicially created exception to the rule.
Sheriff: Apple, pumpkin heists a ‘major league operation’
A “well-organized machine” of thieves appears to be behind the theft of tons of apples and pumpkins from orchards and farms in northern Indiana and Michigan, according to authorities.
Indiana woman’s trial for 3 bus stop deaths gets underway
Testimony is underway in the trial of a northern Indiana woman who allegedly killed three children by striking them with a pickup truck as they crossed a two-lane state highway to board a school bus.
Justices affirm stalking conviction for driver who followed college student 70 miles
A man’s act of following a college student for more than two hours on U.S. Highway 30 from Valparaiso to Warsaw constituted stalking, Indiana Supreme Court justices affirmed Tuesday, finding his actions were continuous in nature.