Opinions

7^th Circuit Court of Appeals
Ralph Oliver v. United States of America and Ryan Ross v. United States of America
17-2880 and 17-2902
Appeals from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division. Senior Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen.
Affirms the denial of Ralph Oliver’s and Ryan Ross’ motions to vacate their firearms convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Finds express collateral-attack waivers in the defendants’ plea agreements are valid and bar their challenges to their convictions and sentences.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Kosciusko County Community Fair Inc. v. Mary Clemens, et al.
19A-PL-02306
Civil plenary. Affirms the Kosciusko Circuit Court’s order finding a restrictive covenant related to motorized racing is enforceable on property owned by Kosciusko County Community Fair, Inc. Finds the fair’s claims on appeal are meritless, and concludes an award of damages, including appellate attorney fees, is appropriate. Remands for a determination of damages pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 66(E).

Indiana Court of Appeals
William A. Brock v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
19A-CR-1530
Criminal. Affirms William Brock’s conviction in Lawrence Superior Court of Level 5 felony failing to register as a sex or violent offender. Finds sufficient evidence to support the conviction.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Property MD’s Home Improvement, LLC v. Anthony Grayson and Horizon Bank, N.A. (mem. dec.)
19A-PL-1764
Civil plenary. Affirms the Porter Superior Court’s denial of Property MD’s Home Improvement’s motion to correct error. Finds Property MD’s cited no legal authority in its disjointed argument regarding damages. Finds its argument regarding interest and attorney fees wholly fails to establish that its lien was valid.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Sue Williams, Linda Wood, and Claude-Wood, as the Co-Personal Representatives of the Estate of Rachel A. Wood, Deceased v. Indiana Department of Correction, Corizon, Inc., et al.
19A-CT-1832
Civil tort. Affirms in part the Marion Superior Court’s entry of summary judgment to Corizon, Inc. nurses Tina Icenogle and Mary Grimes in a suit brought by the estate of Rachel Wood, who died while an inmate at the Indiana Department of Correction. However, holds the designated evidence readily demonstrates genuine issues of material fact on the estate’s claims of deliberate indifference. Reverses the entry of summary judgment for the remaining Corizon medical employees, for Corizon and for the DOC, which failed to discover Wood’s facially inconsistent medical records, her nonexistent treatment plans, or Corizon’s “completely and totally inadequate” medical settings. Remands for proceedings.

The following 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion was posted after IL Deadline Tuesday.
United States of America v. Marvin Cates
19-1042
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division. Senior Judge Robert L. Miller Jr.
Criminal. Affirms the denial of Marvin Cates’ motion to withdraw his guilty plea to possession a firearm with a prior felony conviction on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel. Finds the record contains insufficient evidence to support Cates’ ineffective-assistance claim on direct appeal.

Indiana Supreme Court
Collins Asset Group, LLC v. Alkhemer Alialy|
19S-CC-531
Civil collection. Reverses and remands the Hamilton Superior Court’s dismissal of a complaint brought by Collins Asset Group LLC for missed payments on a promissory note entered into by Alkhemer Alialy. Finds that CAG can assert its claim under either Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9 (2019) or § 26-1-3.1-118(a) (2019).

The following 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion was posted after IL deadline Thursday.
Brandi Lutes v. United Trailers, Inc.
19-1579
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division. Judge Robert L. Miller.
Civil. Affirms in part and reverses in part the district court’s entry of summary judgment for United on the estate of Buddy Phillips’ wrongful termination claim. Affirms judgment for United on Phillips’ retaliation claim but reverses and remands for proceedings on his claim of interference with his rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The following 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion was posted after IL deadline on Wednesday.
DeWayne Perry v. Richard Brown
19-1683
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Terre Haute Division. Judge William T. Lawrence.
Civil. Vacates the Southern District Court’s ruling that equitable tolling is only possible when an “external obstacle” impeded timely filing. Finds the district court needs to determine whether a brain injury caused DeWayne Perry’s delay in seeking habeas review under 28 U.S.C. §2254, and if so whether circumstances as a whole justify equitable tolling. Finds Perry’s medical condition could frustrate his ability to gather and present such evidence on his own, therefore making it appropriate for the district court to appoint counsel to assist him. Remands for proceedings.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Monika Schmidt v. Allstate Property and Casualty
19A-CT-01489
Civil tort. Reverses the Johnson Superior Court’s grant of Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co.’s motion for summary judgment on Monika Schmidt’s bad faith claim and its finding that an insurer does not owe a duty of good faith and fair dealing to an insured who is not the policyholder. Finds the trial court erred in granting summary judgment on that basis. Remands for further proceedings on Schmidt’s bad-faith claim, including her motion for sanctions and contempt.

7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Whirlpool Corporation v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
18-3363
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division. Judge William T. Lawrence.
Civil. Affirms the award of summary judgment to Wells Fargo Bank against Whirlpool Corporation in the latter’s adversary action against Wells Fargo. Finds the bankruptcy judge correctly subordinated Whirlpool’s reclamation claim to the debtor-in-possession financing lien.

Indiana Court of Appeals
Michael Shepard v. State of Indiana
19A-CR-02065
Criminal. Affirms Michael Shepard’s conviction of Level 6 felony battery resulting in moderate injury. Finds Shepard’s 30-month sentence imposed in Howard Circuit Court is not inappropriate considering the nature of the offense and his character.

7^th Circuit Court of Appeals
Gail Martin v. Andrew M. Saul
19-1957
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division. Magistrate Judge Susan Collins.
Civil. Reverses the denial of disability benefits to Gail Martin, finding a second administrative law judge’s decision was not supported by substantial evidence. Orders the award of benefits for Martin, finding her disabled.