Justices accept 4 cases

The Indiana Supreme Court has taken four cases, including one that deals with an insurance dispute over cleanup costs.

In State Automobile Mutual Insurance Co. v. Flexdar Inc., No. 49S02-1104-PL-199, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Flexdar in State Automobile Mutual Insurance Co.’s action seeking declaration that it owed no coverage for environmental cleanup costs. The judges held State Auto’s pollution exclusion is ambiguous and unenforceable, so it didn’t preclude coverage. The Court of Appeals also concluded that Indiana Evidence Rule 407 may bar evidence of subsequent policy revisions offered to resolve ambiguity in an executed insurance contract.

In Tonya Peete v. State of Indiana, No. 49S02-1104-CR-201, the Court of Appeals affirmed Tonya Peete’s convictions of two counts of Class A misdemeanor invasion of privacy. She argued that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to show that she knowingly or intentionally violated an ex parte protective order.

In Glenn L. Carpenter v. State of Indiana, No. 49S02-1104-CR-198, the lower appellate court affirmed Glenn Carpenter’s conviction of Class B felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender, his adjudication as a habitual offender, and the 40-year sentence imposed. Carpenter challenged the admission of evidence that drugs and paraphernalia were found on him and his sentence, which was enhanced by 20 years on the habitual offender count.

In Christopher Jewell v. State of Indiana, No. 32S04-1104-CR-200, the Court of Appeals affirmed Christopher Jewell’s convictions of and aggregate 40-year sentence for six counts of sexual misconduct and child molesting. He argued recorded statements admitted as evidence were procured and admitted in violation of his constitutional rights to counsel.