Opinions Jan. 12, 2023

Indiana Supreme Court
Amanda Dawn Carmack v. State of Indiana
21S-LW-00471
Life without parole. Affirms Amanda Carmack’s conviction of the murder of her 10-year-old stepdaughter, S.C., and her sentence to life without parole. Finds the state met its evidentiary burden to disprove the existence of sudden heat because of the lack of adequate provocation, accompanied by a sustained cooling-off period.

In the Matter of the Honorable Jeffrey F. Meade, Judge of the Gibson Circuit Court
22S-JD-390
Judicial discipline. Suspends Gibson Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey F. Meade for seven days without pay, effective Jan. 30, and with automatic reinstatement. Finds Meade engaged in judicial misconduct by making intemperate comments from the bench; by holding an off-the-record, unrecorded child in need of services hearing in which he ruled on various substantive motions; and by failing to provide all parties to those CHINS proceedings with sufficient notice, an opportunity to be heard and an opportunity to fairly participate in the hearing. Also finds Meade violated Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8(B) and 2.9(A).

Court of Appeals of Indiana
Jamilia Shenese Hodge v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
22A-CR-1210
Criminal. Affirms Jamilia Shenese Hodge’s conviction of murder. Finds Hodge was advised of, and voluntarily waived, her Miranda rights. Also finds Hodge’s statements made during a police interrogation were not induced by violence, threats or other improper influences that overcame her free will.

R.B. v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
22A-JV-1686
Juvenile. Affirms the order awarding wardship of R.B. to the Indiana Department of Correction for housing in a correctional facility for children. Finds the placement is consistent with R.B.’s best interests and the safety of the community, so the Gibson Circuit Court did not abuse its discretion.