Articles

Report: Detective’s contact with USA Gymnastics not a breach

An internal Indianapolis police investigation has determined a detective didn’t violate department policies by working with USA Gymnastics’ former chief executive to deflect criticism of the organization’s child abuse reporting policies. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department conducted a months-long probe into the actions of Lt. Bruce Smith, an acquaintance of ex-USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny who formerly ran the department’s Child Abuse Unit.

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COA affirms child molesting conviction, sentence

A Carroll County man’s sentence of 40 years in prison for molesting his girlfriend’s 7-year-old daughter was upheld Monday. An appellate panel rejected his arguments that evidence from the victim’s exam was wrongly excluded and that his sentence was inappropriate, among others.

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Low-key days at Supreme Court may be ending soon

The Supreme Court began its term with the tumultuous confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, followed by a studied avoidance of drama on the high court bench — especially anything that would divide the five conservatives and four liberals. But when they gather in private on Friday to consider new cases for arguments in April and into next term, the justices will confront a raft of high-profile appeals.

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Indiana man pleads guilty to 1988 killing of 8-year-old girl

An Indiana man has pleaded guilty to the 1988 abduction, rape and killing of an 8-year-old Fort Wayne girl. John D. Miller pleaded guilty Friday to murder and child molestation charges in the long-unsolved killing of April Tinsley. A plea agreement calls for the 59-year-old Miller to serve 80 years in prison.

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Web Exclusive: Sex abuse survivor trains lawyers, others to avoid revictimizing

After overcoming addiction, abuse and sexual harm, Sarah Hurley sought to aid women dealing with the same struggles she faced as a child. She created the White Stone Project, an organization devoted to providing survivor-led, professional training and coaching to people and organizations engaging trauma survivors. Its goal: to equip people to more effectively communicate, understand and avoid revictimizing those they work with.

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Indiana law professors support changes to judicial conduct rules

Although they concede that more needs to be done, two Indiana law professors are applauding the recommendations on how to handle sexual harassment complaints made against the federal judiciary. Professors Charles Geyh and Jennifer Drobac, offered their comments as part of the public hearing to consider the proposed changes to the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges and the Rules for Judicial-Conduct and Judicial-Disability Proceedings.

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Ex-USA Gymnastics head pleads not guilty to tampering count

The former president of USA Gymnastics pleaded not guilty in a Texas courtroom Monday to a charge of tampering with evidence in the sexual assault investigation of now-imprisoned sports doctor Larry Nassar. Prosecutors have accused Steve Penny of destroying or hiding documents related to Nassar’s activities at the Karolyi Ranch, the ex-national training center near Huntsville, Texas, where a number of gymnasts said Nassar abused them.

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