Articles

Long-running IBM suit against state back before COA

The latest installment in a years-long legal saga between the state and IBM, Inc. came before the Indiana Court of Appeals on Tuesday, when the parties argued over the awards of damages and what, if any, significant changes were made to the state’s welfare system after Indiana terminated its contract with IBM and developed its own claims-processing system.

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Appeals court hears suit from owner of dog killed by DNR trap

While walking her dogs through Versailles State Park one unseasonably warm afternoon in December 2011, Melodie Liddle heard her 9-year-old beagle, Copper, yelping after becoming caught in a hidden raccoon trap. The Court of Appeals is weighing the state’s liability in the case and whether Liddle’s complaint is time-barred.

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Justices to decide if bad search voids child molest convictions

The Indiana Supreme Court must decide if a Blackford County man’s child molestation convictions will stand despite an unconstitutional search of his home that led to his confession. The question will force the court to grapple with the relationship between two doctrines: attenuation and fruit of the poisonous tree.

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State, railroad argue over blocked crossings before Supreme Court

The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday heard oral arguments in a case to determine whether state or federal law controls how long trains may block road crossings. Norfolk Southern Railway challenged the state’s blocked crossing statute after receiving 23 citations for blocking a crossing for more than 10 minutes.

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Supreme Court hears insanity argument in shooting death of pastor

The May 2012 shooting of the Bethel Community Church pastor left the Southport community shaken. Admitted killer Lori Barcroft was twice found guilty but mentally ill in the shooting death of Jaman Iseminger, but as it stands now, she is not guilty by reason of insanity after a second Indiana Court of Appeals reversal.

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Supreme Court to hear argument in Owen County

The Indiana Supreme Court will travel to southern Indiana later this month to hear an oral argument in Owen County. The court announced Thursday it will hear a case involving a 17-year-old’s reported suicide attempt.

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Supreme Court hears criminal gang enhancement case

After his criminal gang enhancement was vacated on appeal, a Vanderburgh County man’s sentence for various armed robbery charges reduced from 60 to 30 years. Now, the state is arguing the trial court should have discretion to resentence the defendant in accordance with his crimes, but the defendant claims no such discretion exists.

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Justices hear police officer sexual assault cases

Two cases from opposite ends of the state jointly came before the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday for guidance on the same question: if a police officer sexually assaults a citizen while on duty, should municipalities be held liable for the officer’s actions as the employer?

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7th Circuit to hear arguments over Indiana’s abortion law

Indiana’s controversial law that limits a woman’s ability to obtain an abortion will be argued before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday morning. The 2016 law that was barred from taking effect by a federal judge in Indianapolis will be the subject of oral arguments in an appeal brought by the state.

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Justices hear plea modification case as Senate acts on similar bill

Before 2014, it was a cut-and-dry issue: fixed-sentence plea agreements meant an offender would serve out the terms of their plea, with no chance to change it. But after 2014 legislation and a 2016 Indiana Court of Appeals decision, the Indiana Supreme Court must now decide whether such agreements may be modified.

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Justices consider delinquent adjudications for teen who threatened school

In the fall of 2015, a Seymour High School student began planning a “Columbine-style” attack on his school specifically targeting two students — a girl he had a crush on, and the other boy that girl liked. The plan was reported and foiled without any harm, but now the Indiana Supreme Court must decide whether delinquent adjudications imposed on the high school conspirator will stand.

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Justices to hear mental health commitment, murder appeals

The rights of respondents to be present at their mental health commitment hearings will be considered this week when the Indiana Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case in which a man was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment without being present at his hearing.

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