Conviction upheld in robbery after iPhone exchange
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed an Elkhart student’s robbery conviction after concluding there was sufficient evidence to support that she stole money in the presence of the cash’s owner.
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Holcomb ceremonially signs victims rights bill
A victims rights bill inspired by a mother attempting to protect her underage daughter from a sexual predator’s grooming tactics was ceremonially signed Wednesday by Gov. Eric Holcomb, with support from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council.
Legislative Council approves 2019 interim committees
Study committees for the 2019 interim period have been approved by Indiana’s Legislative Council and will address dozens of issues for review in the coming months, including several legal-focused topics.
Lawyer: Judges’ shooting case rife with ‘speculation and conjecture’
Nearly a month after two judges were shot on the streets of Indianapolis, after which the alleged shooter and his accomplice walked free, an attorney representing one of the arrested men in his probation violation case said the unusual nature of the prosecution and lack of information released about the case has left it “open to speculation and conjecture.”
Indiana prosecutor asks state police to investigate his office
The prosecutor in Vigo County says he’s fired the director of the child support division and asked for a police investigation of his office. But Prosecutor Terry Modesitt declined to offer details on the investigation, saying he wants to be “very generic” during an “ongoing investigation.”
Fresh feud: Hill says Curry can’t hire city attorney in abortion case
A lawsuit challenging an Indiana abortion law has once again led to a public dispute between Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill and Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry.
Criminal probe opened into veterans agency mismanagement
A criminal investigation has been opened into mismanagement at the Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Judges’ shootings: What happened, and what happens next?
Two Clark County judges are recovering from gunshot wounds after being shot in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month. Meanwhile, two men accused in the shooting have been released from their bonds after the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file charges.
ACLU report highlights Indiana’s prison problem
While acknowledging Indiana’s efforts to reform its criminal justice system has slowed the growth of the state’s prison population, a new report by the ACLU of Indiana asserts that additional reforms, including expanded access to treatment for mental health and substance abuse, could reduce the number of incarcerated by 50 percent and save Hoosier taxpayers more than $541 million by 2025.
Judges’ shooting suspects to go free after prosecutor declines to file charges
The two suspects arrested in connection with the shootings of two Clark County judges will soon go free after the Marion County Prosecutor's Office declined to file charges against them. Brandon Kaiser, 41, and Alfredo Vazquez, 23, were released as to their $200,000 and $60,000, respectively, bonds that were set in connection with the shootings of Clark Circuit Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs.
Federal case to proceed against Elkhart cops in beating case
Indiana prosecutors are setting aside their case against two police officers who were caught on video repeatedly punching a handcuffed man so that a federal case against them can proceed.
Man withdraws effort challenging conviction in officer’s death
A man who was sentenced to life in prison without parole for fatally shooting a Gary police officer in 2014 has withdrawn his effort to challenge his conviction.
Are additional Celadon execs in prosecutors’ sights?
Federal prosecutors in late April accused the Indianapolis-based trucking company Celadon Group Inc. of engineering a sweeping accounting fraud that hid losses in the tens of millions of dollars, and they announced a felony charge against one of the company’s former executives. But if the fraud was so sweeping, why did prosecutors charge just one person and spare other former top executives (at least so far)?
Man withdraws effort challenging conviction in Gary officer’s death
A man who was sentenced to life in prison without parole for fatally shooting a northwestern Indiana police officer in 2014 has withdrawn his effort to challenge his conviction. Carl Le’Ellis Blount filed a petition last year alleging Lake County prosecutors threatened him to get him to plead guilty to murder in the shooting death of Gary Patrolman Jeffrey Westerfield, but he asked to withdraw his petition in April.
Fatal shooting of man by Clarksville officer ruled justified
A prosecutor has decided that the fatal shooting of a southern Indiana man by a police officer after the man refused to drop a gun was justified. Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull reviewed the investigation from Indiana State Police and determined no charges would be filed in the death of 43-year-old Max David Helton of Clarksville.
Prosecutors: Divorcing Greenwood couple left dog to starve
Prosecutors say a suburban Indianapolis couple who vacated their home during divorce proceedings left their dog behind to starve to death. Michael S. Setser of Greenwood faces a misdemeanor charge of abandonment or neglect of a vertebrate animal, and Amanda Setser of Franklin faces a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge.
Reversal reinstates wrongful arrest suit against conservation officer
Summary judgment for a conservation officer was reversed Thursday after the Indiana Court of Appeals found, among other things, that his actions in procuring the prosecution of a woman who killed his dog were not noncriminal.
COA affirms civil suit rulings against ex-insurer convicted of theft
A formerly licensed insurer investigated and convicted of felony theft failed to convince an appellate panel that judgment was erroneously granted to the Indiana State Department of Insurance and a Putnam County prosecutor on the pleadings of his suit against them.
Prosecutor Cooper facing 540 days of probation for guilty pleas
Elected Johnson County prosecutor Bradley D. Cooper pleaded guilty Monday to felony and misdemeanor charges, including criminal confinement and domestic battery. A plea agreement calls for him to serve 540 days of probation.
AG Hill’s attorney discipline case raises new questions
The disciplinary complaint against Hill raises new questions about the disciplinary process itself, including who can preside over the proceedings and what would happen if the state’s chief legal officer loses his law license, even temporarily. But those questions aside, ethics attorneys say Hill’s status as a prominent elected official shouldn’t have any bearing on the nuts and bolts of the discipline process.