Tippecanoe Co. prosecutor to lead prosecutors’ association
Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington will serve as president of the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Inc. in 2020 following his recent election to the post.
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No charges against ex-senator over Indiana lobbying contract
Prosecutors have decided a former Indiana state senator won’t face criminal charges over possible violations of state lobbying laws involving his work with the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs.
Former DCS worker seeking dismissal of criminal case
The former DCS worker facing criminal charges is scheduled to be in Madison Circuit Court Friday, arguing the indictment against him should be dismissed because not only are the allegations too vague to comply with state law and constitutional guarantees, but also because he is protected by immunity.
Civil forfeiture amendments don’t defeat prior forfeiture action, COA says
Legislative amendments to Indiana’s much-debated civil forfeiture scheme did not defeat a pre-existing forfeiture action in state court, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday, finding the amendments did not constitute an ex post facto law.
Prosecutors: Deeply-in-debt Michael Avenatti sought payday
Prosecutors say high-profile California attorney Michael Avenatti was over $15 million in debt when he tried to extort up to $25 million from Nike, while Avenatti’s lawyers say the money he legally requested to conduct an internal probe of the sportswear giant was a bargain. Both sides made the assertions in court papers filed late Tuesday in advance of a Jan. 22 criminal trial in Manhattan.
Muncie mayor’s trial on federal charges delayed until May
A central Indiana mayor’s federal trial on charges of accepting a bribe has been pushed back for several months. Defense attorneys for Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler requested the delay on the trial that had been scheduled to start Jan. 21.
Year in Review: Baer death penalty reversal most-read IL story of 2019
A federal appeals court’s reversal of Madison County killer Fredrick Baer’s death sentence was the most-read story on the Indiana Lawyer’s digital edition, www.theindianalawyer.com. Indiana Lawyer readers clicked on stories on our website more than 2.6 million times between Jan. 1 and Dec. 10, 2019, according to Google Analytics. Here are the 50 most-viewed story headlines during that time.
Year in Review: In 2019, troubles dominated legal news
When those in the legal community look back at 2019, they may turn their heads and look forward instead. While the year had bright spots, several sordid sagas dominated the headlines.
Ex-Fair Oaks farm worker gets probation for abusing calves
Edgar Gardozo-Vasquez, 36, is one of three former employees of popular agritourism destination Fair Oaks Farms charged with a misdemeanor for animal cruelty following the release of undercover video showing workers kicking and throwing young calves. He pleaded guilty Monday before being sentenced to probation.
Former IPAC leader Powell honored with award in his name
Longtime head of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council Dave Powell has been honored by the association he used to lead, receiving one award at the annual winter conference and having a second award renamed in his honor.
Former prosecutor Curry honored by IPAC
Former Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry was honored with the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council’s highest award last week during the organization’s annual Winter Conference, recognizing his contributions in the realm of criminal justice.
Split COA: Prosecutor can file for paternity at putative father’s request
A divided panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed the dismissal of an alleged father’s time-barred petition seeking to establish paternity of a child. The majority held a prosecutor is authorized to pursue such a request outside the general two-year statute of limitations. A dissenting judge, however, warned the holding “makes a mockery” of the two-year statute of limitations in paternity cases.
Child support initiative offers good-faith driver’s license reinstatement
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has announced it will be reinstating driver’s licenses for noncustodial parents during the month of December who commit to do two things: make an affordable payment toward their child support orders and update their employment information.
DCS troubles continue with arrest of former caseworker
Despite the attention the Statehouse has given to the Indiana Department of Child Services in the past two years – hiring outside consultants to review the agency and passing numerous laws regarding policies and practices within the department – an arrest of a former caseworker on neglect charges is bringing another call for more changes.
Chief deputy prosecutor to fill coming Hancock Superior vacancy
A chief deputy prosecutor will become a Hancock County Superior Court judge, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday. Marie D. Castetter will succeed Hancock Superior Court 1 Judge Terry Snow, who will retire Dec. 31.
Madison Co. child welfare worker charged with neglect
A caseworker for Indiana’s child welfare agency faces criminal charges stemming from the alleged neglect of a 4-year-old boy under his supervision. An arrest warrant was issued Monday for 26-year-old Spencer Day Osborn after prosecutors charged him with four felony counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury on the recommendation of a Madison County grand jury.
Special prosecutor finds insufficient evidence in Hamilton County nepotism, harassment allegations
A special prosecutor is citing insufficient evidence to charge employees in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office after a former coworker alleged they’d engaged in nepotism, then harassed and fired her to cover it up.
Ex-Portage mayor getting new trial in 1 of 2 federal counts
A federal judge has denied a motion for acquittal by a former northwestern Indiana mayor who was convicted by a jury in February of bribery and tax obstruction but he granted a new trial on one of the counts. The ruling is a partial victory for former Portage Mayor James Snyder, who argued that he should be acquitted because of prosecutorial conduct and insufficient evidence.
Second chance workshop helps individuals get back on the road
To give a break to individuals who badly needed one, Marion County prosecutors and public defenders joined together Monday and helped hundreds clear the path to getting their driver’s licenses reinstated.
Probe of police shooting could revive scrutiny of Buttigieg
The deadly shooting of an African-American man by a white police officer this summer in South Bend highlighted Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s struggle to win black support for his presidential campaign. The issue could resurface as the prosecutor leading an investigation into the matter says his work likely won’t be finished before February, just as voters begin deciding whether Buttigieg should be the Democratic nominee.