Appeals court heads to Terre Haute to hear murder case
A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals traveled to Terre Haute today hear oral argument in a case involving murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.
Robbery
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‘Bonnie and Clyde’ bank robber loses 7th Circuit appeal
An Indiana man convicted of “Bonnie and Clyde-style” bank robberies lost his appeal before the 7th Circuit, which ruled Monday that the defendant’s rights weren’t violated when he was tracked from Indiana to California or when evidence of other robberies he wasn’t charged with were admitted at his trial.
Judge: Exonerated man’s suit against Elkhart police may proceed
A civil rights lawsuit filed by pardoned ex-prisoner Keith Cooper has been allowed to continue, with a federal judge ruling Tuesday that Cooper’s federal malicious prosecution and related claims are not time-barred. However, the judge also raised questions as to whether the relevant statute of limitations should be revised.
Excluded witnesses, admitted photos affirmed in murder trial
A man who murdered a woman in order to rob her of prescription drugs lost an appeal of his convictions when the Indiana Court of Appeals found there was sufficient evidence and that a trial court did not deprive him of a defense.
‘Meager weight’ of mitigating factors could not overcome attorney’s deficient performance
Although the Indiana Court of Appeals agreed the relationship had broken between a Fort Wayne criminal defense attorney and his client, it did not find that the 130-year sentence handed down would have been significantly less if defense counsel had offered mitigating circumstances.
Armed robber loses appeal of denied jury instruction on duress defense
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a man’s tendered jury instruction after finding the defense included in the proposed instruction was not available to the defendant.
Judge denies new trial in off-duty officer’s 1980 death
A judge has denied a request for a new trial for an alleged getaway driver convicted in the 1980 shooting death of an off-duty northwestern Indiana police officer. James Hill was sentenced to 47 years in prison in October after a jury earlier convicted him of murder in perpetuation of robbery and attempted robbery, and Judge Salvador Vasquez determined there was no need for a new trial.
Murder charges filed in Thanksgiving attack that killed 3
Prosecutors have filed three murder counts and other charges against a man in connection with a drug-related robbery that left three men dead and two others wounded at a Fort Wayne home.
Teen charged as adult in killing gets 48-year sentence
An Indianapolis teenager charged as an adult in the fatal shooting of a man stemming from a botched robbery of marijuana has been sentenced to 48 years in prison.
Bank robbers disguised in ’70s garb to be resentenced
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed three men’s attempted robbery convictions for lack of evidence but affirmed their remaining convictions and ordered them resentenced. The men were accused of robbing several Indianapolis-area financial institutions donned in 1970s apparel.
Two killers keep life sentences despite ‘horrific’ upbringings
Two men convicted for the 2000 murder of a 73-year-old man have once again lost their appeal to reverse their life sentences after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the sentences were reasonable, despite the men’s unfortunate upbringings.
COA affirms denial of ineffective counsel PCR claim
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Tuesday the denial of a man’s successive petition for post-conviction relief, finding the man’s trial attorney’s strategy was not constitutionally ineffective.
2 convicted in killings of 3 during drug-related robbery
Two young men have been convicted in connection with the 2017 drug-related robbery and fatal shootings of three men in an Indianapolis apartment. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday that Troy Ward was convicted of c three counts of murder and three counts of felony murder, while Martell Williams was convicted of charges including three counts of felony murder, among other convictions for both.
Elkhart police K-9 excessive force case to continue
An Elkhart police officer accused of using excessive force when he deployed a K-9 officer on a suspect lying in a cornfield has lost his bid for summary judgment and qualified immunity in federal court.
Man sentenced in 1980 killing of off-duty Hammond officer
A Gary man convicted in the 1980 shooting death of off-duty Hammond police officer Lawrence Pucalik has been sentenced to 47 years in prison.
Appellate court upholds robbery, conspiracy convictions
A northern Indiana man who planned and executed the robbery of a home after being invited to stay at the residence has lost his appeal of his convictions and sentence before the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Justices to hear cell location history case in Anderson
The Indiana Supreme Court will travel north to Madison County later this month to hear an oral argument regarding how and when law enforcement may obtain historical cell phone location information in criminal investigations.
Reversal: Special PCR judge had authority to modify sentence
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a post-conviction court’s ruling after it found a special judge erred when he granted his own motion to correct error based on his belief he did not have the authority to accept an agreement between the defendant and the state.
Justices OK resentencing after gang enhancement vacated
An Evansville trial court may resentence a would-be robber for his eight convictions after the Indiana Supreme Court ruled that vacating the defendant’s criminal gang enhancement did not rid the trial court of its resentencing authority.
Man gets 60 years in USI student’s slaying
A man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend in southwestern Indiana. Isaiah Hagan was sentenced Thursday for murder, robbery and obstruction of justice convictions in connection with the April 2017 slaying of Halee Rathgeber.