Opinions

Indiana Supreme Court
In the Matter of the Honorable Scott A. Norrick, Judge of the Madison Circuit Court
24S-JD-35
Judicial discipline. Suspends Madison Circuit Court Judge Scott Norrick, without pay for 45 days commencing June 3, with the suspension terminating and Norrick being automatically reinstated to office July 18. Finds Norrick engaged in judicial misconduct by: failing to supervise his staff in the processing of orders, which resulted in him presiding over civil cases in which he or his son were the attorneys of record; erroneously issuing an ex parte change-of-custody order without giving the opposing party notice or an opportunity to respond; and failing to supervise his staff in the processing of criminal cases, which led to delays in issuing warrants, missing orders and chronological case summary (entries, and involuntarily dismissing sixteen criminal cases. All justices concurred except for Justice Geoffrey Slaughter, who would reject the conditional agreement, believing more severe discipline is warranted.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Jason Kelly and Myka Kelly v. State of Indiana, et al.
23A-CT-1845
Civil tort. Affirms the Wabash Circuit Court’s granting of a partial motion by the State of Indiana to dismiss Jason and Myka Kelly’s breach of contract claim against the Indiana Department of Child Services and several individual DCS employees. Finds that the trial court did not err in entering judgment as a matter of law in favor of the state. Also finds the Kellys have not alleged and there is no evidence in the record that the state engaged in acts of contractual sabotage or bad faith. Finally, finds that because the approval of the governor, which is statutorily required, and the approval of the attorney general were not obtained, and, where there is no evidence in the record that the state engaged in acts of contractual sabotage or bad faith, the agreement is not enforceable.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Thomas S. Gray v. State of Indiana
23A-CR-1871
Criminal. Affirms the Allen Superior Court’s revocation of Thomas Gray’s probation. Finds that Gray admitted that he committed Level 5 felony child exploitation when he pled guilty and a person of ordinary intelligence would understand that active participation in a treatment program intended to treat criminal behavior would require the person to take responsibility for committing that crime. Also finds that Additional Condition of Probation #2 adequately informed Gray that his failure to comply with the conditions of the sexual perpetrator treatment program would result in a probation violation, and therefore, it was not unconstitutionally vague.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Johnny W. Brown v. State of Indiana
23A-CR-330
Criminal. Reverses Johnny Brown’s conviction of Class C felony child molesting. Finds that When Brown turned 21 years old, his case fell into the jurisdictional gap the Indiana Supreme Court identified in D.P. and Neukam. Also finds that while statutes that became effective on July 1, 2023, cured this jurisdictional gap, retroactive application of these statutes to Brown would violate his right under the United States Constitution to be free of ex post facto laws. Remands with instructions for the trial court to dismiss.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Carol Fluhr, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Ed Fluhr, Deceased v. Anonymous Doctor 1, et.al.
23A-MI-1632
Civil miscellaneous. Affirms the Marion Superior Court’s granting of summary judgment to Anonymous Doctors 1,2,3 and 4 and Anonymous Medical Centers 1,2 and 3 on grounds that they were immune from Carol Fluhr’s complaint under Indiana’s COVID-19 immunity statute. Finds that because Fluhr does not rebut the defendants’ designated evidence that the health care providers were acting under policies intended to prevent or minimize the spread of COVID-19, there is no genuine issue of material fact and the defendants are entitled to immunity as a matter of law.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Mark Campbell v. Andrew Campbell and Campbell Research & Consulting, LLC
23A-CT-2178
Civil tort. Reverses the Hendricks Superior Court’s dismissal of Mark Campbell’s complaint of defamation and false light invasion of privacy against his son, Andrew Campbell. Finds that because Andrew Campbell has failed to prove that his statements were made in connection with a public issue, the anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation defense does not apply and the trial court erred in dismissing Mark Campbell’s complaint. Remands the case to the trial court to continue the litigation of Mark Campbell’s claims and Andrew Campbell’s counterclaim.

Indiana Supreme Court
Christine Cosme and Roy Cosme v. Debora A. Warfield Clark, Dan Churilla d/b/a Churilla Insurance, and Erie Insurance Exchange
24S-CT-159
Civil tort. Affirms the Lake Superior Court’s directed verdict for Churilla Insurance. Finds that, lacking evidence on the duty element of their professional-negligence claim, the Cosmes cannot meet the quantitative prong of the directed verdict standard. Reverses the trial court’s directed verdict for Erie Insurance Exchange. Finds the trial court erred in directing the verdict for Erie Insurance Exchange. Also finds a reasonable jury could find that the insurance policy was still in effect at the time of the accident, and that Erie’s communications in cancelling the policy and its subsequent denial of the Cosmes’ insurance claim were a bad-faith breach of contract. Remands for further proceedings.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Mark Hyzy, individually and on behalf of Carolyn Hyzy,Deceased v. Anonymous Provider 1 v. Amy L. Beard, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Insurance
23A-CT-2581
Civil tort. Affirms the Lake Superior Court’s dismissal of Mark Hyzy’s negligent infliction of emotional distress claim, brought individually and on behalf of Carolyn Hyzy, in a wrongful death action against Anonymous Provider 1. Finds that the trial court properly dismissed Hyzy’s negligent infliction of emotional distress claim which was brought under the Adult Wrongful Death Statute and pursuant to the procedures of the Medical Malpractice Act.

Indiana Supreme Court
Dustin A. Lane v. State of Indiana
24S-CR-150
Criminal. Affirms Dustin Lane’s aggregate sentence of more than eight years for 10 misdemeanors he committed by sending letters from prison to his former partner, while serving time after a domestic battery conviction and in violation of a no-contact order. Finds that a lengthy sentence of incarceration for such offenses is necessary to protect victims and the community from an offender with a history of violence. Also finds that Lane’s crimes and character indicate that he poses a continuing danger of restarting a cycle of physical and emotional abuse towards A.N. Justice Derek Molter dissents with separate opinion in which Justice Mark Massa joins.

Indiana Court of Appeals
James P. Devlin v. Horizon Bank, successor in interest to Salin Bank & Trust Company by merger
23A-MF-1986
Mortgage foreclosure. Affirms the Hendricks Superior Court’s amended judgment in favor of Horizon Bank, the successor in interest to Salin Bank & Trust Company, and its ruling to foreclose on the mortgage and its amended in rem judgment against James Devlin’s property. Finds that Devlin’s arguments, if adopted, would undermine good-faith dealings between lenders and debtors and would empower sureties to litigate any subsequent action of a debtor as “misconduct” entitling the surety to discharge. Also finds that Devlin’s position is not consistent with Indiana law.

Indiana Court of Appeals
David R. Benjamin v. State of Indiana
23A-CR-2367
Criminal. Affirms David Benjamin’s conviction in Knox Circuit Court for Level 3 felony aggravated battery. Finds that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting a doctor’s testimony regarding whether the victim’s injuries created a substantial risk of death.  Also finds Benjamin has waived his evidentiary appellate challenge because he objected at trial on one ground and raised a different ground on appeal. Finally, finds that any error in the admission of the evidence was harmless.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Theodore Rokita v. Barbara Tully
23A-PL-705
Civil plenary. Reverses the Marion Superior Court’s granting of summary judgment to Barbara Tully regarding her public records request for access to an informal advisory opinion from the Indiana Office of the Inspector General relating to the ethical implications of Attorney General Todd Rokita’s continued outside employment with Apex Benefits. Finds the Indiana General Assembly amended the statute relating to the Inspector General’s duties and made that amendment retroactive. Also finds the amended statute explicitly provides the Inspector General’s informal advisory opinions are confidential and excepted from disclosure under Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act. Remands with instructions that the trial court grant Rokita’s cross-motion for summary judgment.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Roman Lee Jones v. Sharon Hawk, et al.
23A-CT-201
Civil tort. Affirms the Miami Circuit Court’s order granting summary judgment to prison employees, Sharon Hawk, Brian Hollis and Renee Gall on Roman Jones’ prisoner complaint against the prison employees. Finds that because the prison employees negated the first element of Jones’ First Amendment retaliation claim, the trial court did not err by granting summary judgment to the prison employees.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Kenneth Kesler, M.D. v. Indiana University Health Care Associates, Inc., d/b/a/ Indiana University Health Physicians (IUHP)
23A-PL-2111
Civil plenary. Reverses the Marion Superior Court’s order granting Indiana University Health Physicians’ request for a preliminary injunction and enjoining Kenneth Kesler from treating patients within the geographically restricted area provided in the noncompetition clause in his employment agreement. Finds that the trial court’s findings do not show a consideration of the disservice to the public by enjoining Kesler’s medical practice and IUHP has failed to show it has suffered harm. Also finds the trial court erred by concluding that IUHP was entitled to injunctive relief and by issuing the preliminary injunction. Remands to the trial court with instructions to dissolve the preliminary injunction.

Indiana Court of Appeals
C.K v. State of Indiana
23A-JM-2671
Juvenile miscellaneous. Affirms the Madison Circuit Court’s order finding C.K. in contempt of court for providing false information to the court and the Indiana Department of Child Services under oath. Finds that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by finding C.K. in contempt of court and imposing a 90-day period of incarceration as a sanction.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Pious Trans, Inc., Gagandeep Singh, and Yadwinder Singh v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London
23A-PL-3044
Civil plenary. Affirms the Hancock Circuit Court’s granting of summary judgment to Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London on the questions of coverage and bad faith. Finds that the policy term “commercial,” specifically as used in the term “commercial driver’s license,” is not ambiguous and that a New-York-issued Class E operator’s license is in no way equivalent to a CDL. Also finds the trial court correctly concluded that Gagandeep Singh had not satisfied the policy’s experience requirements. Finally, finds that that Underwriters did not breach the policy in denying coverage.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Brian Randy Van Auken v. State of Indiana
23A-CR-1573
Criminal. Affirms Brian Van Auken’s convictions in Wells Circuit Court for three counts of Level 1 felony child molesting, Level 3 felony promotion of sexual trafficking of a younger child, six counts of Level 4 felony child solicitation, Level 4 felony sexual misconduct with a minor and five counts of Level 5 felony child solicitation. Finds the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting certain evidence. Also finds the evidence is insufficient to sustain Van Auken’s convictions. Finally, finds his aggregate 69-year sentence is appropriate.

Indiana Court of Appeals 

Steven C. Clear v. State of Indiana 

24A-CR-170

Criminal. Affirms the Shelby Superior Court’s denial of Steven Clear’s petition for additional credit time. Finds Clear failed to convince the appellate court that the trial court erred in denying his petition as the evidence does not lead unerringly and unmistakably to a decision opposite that reached by the trial
court.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Andrew Nemeth Properties, LLC, and Andrew J. Nemeth v. William A. Panzica, Thomas C. Panzica, Philip E. Panzica, & NP3, LLC
23A-PL-1383
Civil plenary. Reverses the Marshall Circuit Court’s award of summary judgment in favor of William Panzica, Thomas Panzica, Phillip Panzica and NP3, LLC on Andrew Nemeth’s breach of contract claim and its bench judgment in favor of the defendants on Nemeth’s unjust enrichment claim. Finds that an LLC’s initial membership can be established by oral contract and that there exist genuine issues of material fact as to whether Nemeth and the Panzica Brothers orally agreed to form NP3 as equal members. Also finds that Nemeth was entitled to a jury trial on his unjust enrichment claim.

7^th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. Bryant D. Aron
22-2364
Criminal. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division. Chief Judge Holly Brady. Affirms the district court’s conviction of Bryant Aron on the charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon in violation and its sentence of him to the statutory maximum of 10years in prison. Finds Aron was given sufficient notice of the court’s rejection of the plea agreement to give him the opportunity to fully litigate the basis for the four-level enhancement in the PSR for use of the firearm during another felony offense. Also finds that Aron’s arguments that the court improperly inserted itself into the plea negotiation process and abused its discretion by failing to provide a sound reason for rejecting the binding plea agreement are lacking in merit.