Evidence of felon’s gun tattoo not error
A defendant who took the stand in his federal trial for felony firearm possession failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Nov. 26 that the evidence of his gun tattoo should not have been admitted.
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Enhancement to sentence upheld by COA
Finding Indiana’s criminal gang enhancement statute can be understood by individuals of ordinary intelligence, the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected a man’s challenge to his 175-year aggregate sentence.
Man convicted of brutal beating loses appeal despite errors
A man who was convicted of the brutal beating of his stepfather lost an appeal Wednesday that argued his 2008 traumatic brain injury, prosecutorial misconduct and other factors should have reversed or mitigated his 20-year sentence.
Man gets 11 years for $1M copper wire theft
A northern Indiana man who admitted to stealing $1 million worth of copper wire from a recreational vehicle plant where he worked has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
COA revises neglect of dependent conviction stemming from boy’s death
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a man’s murder conviction following the death of his girlfriend’s son after he seriously injured the boy while punishing him. But the court reversed his Class B felony neglect of a dependent conviction based on double jeopardy concerns.
Judges reverse probation revocation due to inadmissible evidence
Because a man’s probation was revoked based on unsubstantiated evidence, the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the revocation Friday.
Indiana panel hears testimony on human trafficking
A state trooper who investigates human trafficking told a commission devoted to children's issues Wednesday that he's looked into nearly 40 such cases this year but the shadowy nature of the forced sex and labor trade means it's unclear how far the problem reaches into Indiana.
Indiana man sentenced in shooting of intruder
An eastern Indiana man has been sentenced to 60 days in jail for firing gunshots that wounded an intruder who was fleeing his property.
Senator seeks stiffer punishment for decapitations
The chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee says Indiana needs stronger penalties for decapitation.
Defense counsel’s move to prosecutor’s side doesn’t require special prosecutor
The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a man’s 60-year sentence for shooting and killing his girlfriend after an argument, rejecting his claim that a special prosecutor should have been appointed in his case after his defense counsel took a job with the prosecutor’s office.
7th Circuit reverses 2 special conditions with bank fraud conviction
The government conceded that a man convicted for using fraudulently produced credit cards should not be subjected to suspicionless searches and seizures by authorities, so the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that condition of his supervised release.
Judge rejects sentence modification for ex-cop
A southern Indiana judge has rejected a sentence modification for a former police officer convicted of pointing a gun at his girlfriend during a confrontation in front of his two children.
Judges say Circuit split requires clarification from sentencing commission
A panel of judges on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a man’s 117-month prison sentence on drug and weapons charges, but two judges believed the case should have been heard en banc based on the importance of a sentencing issue.
Split COA reverses denial of post-conviction relief
A defense attorney’s failure to raise the consecutive sentencing limitation prejudiced his client, the majority of a Court of Appeals panel ruled, reversing denial of post-conviction relief for a man convicted of multiple burglaries. The court remanded for resentencing to trim six years off a 28-year prison term.
Evidence doesn’t show existence of family housing complex at time of crime
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a man’s Class A felony conviction for dealing cocaine within 1,000 feet of a family housing complex because the state didn’t prove the complex qualified as family housing under the law at the time of the offense.
Accomplice in jewelry store robbery loses sentence appeal
The 45-year sentence imposed on an accomplice in a jewelry store robbery was affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals Tuesday, even though the crime to which he pleaded guilty is now punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Indianapolis man gets 28 years for coercing sex
A judge sentenced an Indianapolis man to 28 years in prison Monday for tricking teenage girls as young as 13 into sending him explicit photos via Facebook and using the photos to coerce the girls into having sex with him.
Man gets life for killing ex-girlfriend’s father
A southwestern Indiana man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend's father.
Judges affirm 95-year sentence for molesting boy
Although the trial court erred in admitting most of the pornographic images possessed by the defendant at his child molestation trial, the admission was a harmless error. As such, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed William Remy’s 95-year sentence for five charges related to repeated molestation of a boy.
Purdue shooter sentenced to 65 years in prison
An Indiana man who admitted fatally stabbing and shooting a fellow Purdue University student inside a crowded classroom was sentenced Sept. 19 to the maximum 65 years in prison after telling a judge he lied about being mentally ill.