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.
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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.
Jones: Pardon me? Can you deny a presidential pardon or commutation?
Though most of us might strain ourselves thinking of a reason why one might refuse a pardon or a commutation, multiple individuals have attempted to reject a pardon or commutation, providing both interesting stories and a strange, potential check on the executive.
Man sentenced 75 years for bomb threats, extortion
A California man accused of making online threats to bomb two suburban Indianapolis high schools in addition to a slew of other crimes was sentenced Friday by a federal judge to 75 years in prison.
Woman’s 30-year federal sex trafficking sentence upheld on appeal
A northwestern Indiana woman who operated three massage spas and was convicted of sex trafficking in a case a federal court called “a modern form of slavery” lost an appeal of her conviction and 30-year sentence Thursday.
In 3-2 split, justices deny woman’s self-defense claim in murder
An Indianapolis woman who was convicted of murder after her manslaughter plea was rejected when she claimed self-defense could not persuade a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court last week to hear her appeal.
Terre Haute man sentenced after student eats drug-laced candy
A Terre Haute man was sentence to a decade in prison in a case where a student at a local school became ill after eating drug-laced candy.
COA slashes 18-year DOC sentence, orders treatment for drug offender
A man sentenced to 18 years after being convicted in a drug sting operation will only serve four of those years in prison, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, reversing a sentencing order that did not allow for probation or substance abuse treatment.
Floyd Co. woman pleads guilty in wrong-way crash
A southern Indiana woman pleaded guilty Thursday to four felonies in connection with a wrong-way freeway crash that killed three people and an unborn child.
23-year molestation sentence affirmed despite improper aggravator
Despite a trial court improperly considering an aggravating factor that went against a “clear directive” from the Indiana Court of Appeals, a man’s 23-year sentence for molesting his niece was upheld in a Thursday opinion.
Report: Indiana tops U.S. in prison sentences of 50 years or longer
As part of a call by The Sentencing Project to abolish the mindset of locking people up and throwing away the key, Indiana is being highlighted as having the highest percentage of individuals in the nation who are serving 50 years or more in prison.
Man gets 60 years for killing ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend
A Lafayette man who pleaded guilty to killing a man who was dating his ex-girlfriend has been sentenced to 60 years in prison in the gruesome 2019 slaying.