COA rejects due process complaints, affirms probation revocation
A man claiming due process violations in the revocation of his probation will continue to serve his suspended sentence in prison after the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected his appeal.
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Justices to hear arguments on order for informant to sit for face-to-face interview
An order requiring a confidential informant to sit for a face-to-face interview with defense counsel will be reviewed by the Indiana Supreme Court during oral arguments Thursday. Justices will also hear arguments on petition to transfer in a case where a defendant was erroneously released from prison then reincarcerated.
Man convicted of killing IU student Behrman denied SCOTUS review
The man convicted in the murder of Indiana University student Jill Behrman more than 20 years ago will remain in prison after the United States Supreme Court denied cert in his habeas case. The justices denied John Myers’ petition for writ of certiorari Monday.
Evansville man gets 110 years for killing wife, another man
An Evansville man convicted of fatally stabbing his estranged wife and her ex-husband has been sentenced to 110 years in prison.
Governor signs post-release mental health treatment bill
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday signed into law a bill that will provide extra time for offenders to secure mental health treatment upon their release from the Indiana Department of Correction.
Sentence in molestation case remanded to include credit time
A man sentenced to serve 25 years in prison on a child molesting conviction has successfully challenged his sentencing judgment that lacked the more than two years of credit time for the period he was behind bars awaiting sentencing.
Hefty sentence, convictions upheld for accomplice in Avon pharmacy robbery
A man considered to be an accomplice of an armed pharmacy robber could not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals on Tuesday that his decades-long sentence was inappropriate.
Serial killer on federal death row dies at Indiana hospital
A convicted serial killer whose victims included two young boys died Sunday at a hospital in Indiana, authorities said.
1 of 2 arson convictions vacated for man who burned parole office
A man who set fire to a government building to destroy evidence of pornography constituting parole violations will have one of his arson convictions vacated after the Indiana Court of Appeals used recent caselaw to find a double jeopardy violation.
Justices: Juvenile convicted of attempted murder failed to show parent ‘essential’
When juvenile defendants are tried in adult court, parents who are also witnesses may be excluded from witness-separation orders if their children establish them as “essential” to the presentation of evidence, the Indiana Supreme Court has ruled. However, applying that holding to the facts of the case before them, justices concluded an Elkhart County teen failed to establish his mom was “essential” to his attempted murder defense.
Drug sentence remanded to reconsider term of supervised release
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has remanded an erroneous sentence for a drug conviction for the limited purpose of reconsidering the defendant’s term of supervised release.
Druidism must be recognized in Department of Correction, judge rules
Druidism could soon become a formally recognized religion within the Indiana Department of Correction after a federal judge granted injunctive relief to a prisoner who claimed his religious rights were violated by the lack of communal Druid services in the DOC.
Justices agree to hear appeal in Menards negligence dispute
A ruling from the Indiana Court of Appeals that partially entered judgment in favor of a Menards store in a customer’s personal injury suit will go before the Indiana Supreme Court after the justices granted transfer to the case last week.
Indiana woman gets 32 years in husband’s stabbing death
A Fort Wayne woman who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing her husband during an altercation in a parking lot has been sentenced to 32½ years in prison.
On federal death row, inmates talk about Biden, executions
On federal death row in Terre Haute, prisoners fling notes on a string under each other’s cell doors and converse through interconnected air ducts. A top issue these days: whether President Joe Biden will halt executions, several told The Associated Press.
Justices suspend 2 lawyers for repeat OWI convictions
An attorney from Carmel and one from Connersville have been suspended from the practice of law as a result of convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The lawyers in both cases had prior convictions.
Woman denied counsel gets new trial on marijuana charge
A woman whose request for appointed counsel was denied will receive a new trial on her misdemeanor marijuana conviction after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined her constitutional right to counsel was violated.
7th Circuit orders hearing on counsel’s performance in habeas case
A man who received an enhanced federal sentence for robbery convictions has been granted a hearing on his ineffective assistance of counsel claim. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that under the facts of this case, defense counsel may have been required to anticipate future developments in caselaw.
Justices affirm sentence but stress clarity in guilty-plea appeal waivers
Although it upheld a man’s six-year executed sentence for drug convictions, the Indiana Supreme Court issued a per curiam opinion reminding trial court about the importance of clarity during guilty-plea sentencing hearings that involve a waiver of a defendant’s right to appeal.
7th Circuit upholds fine that exceeded amount in plea agreement
Despite being assessed a fine that was $200 more than agreed to a plea agreement, a man convicted on multiple robbery-related felonies failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that his increased fine constituted reversible error.