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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed a motion to suspend Clark Circuit Judge Andrew Adams with pay following his Friday indictment on charges related to a downtown Indianapolis shooting he was involved in earlier this year.
The commission filed a Notice of Criminal Charges and Request for Suspension seeking Adams’ suspension immediately upon learning of the felony indictment, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Friday.
The request asks that Adams be suspended with pay from his position as judge of Clark Circuit Court 1 pending further order of the court or a final determination of any disciplinary proceeding that may result from the criminal charges.
Adams was charged with seven offenses related to the May 1 shooting of him and fellow Clark Circuit Judge Bradley Jacobs. The charges against Adams include two counts of Level 6 felony battery resulting in moderate bodily injury; two counts of Class A misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury; two counts of Class B misdemeanor battery; and one count of Class B misdemeanor disorderly conduct by engaging in fighting or tumultuous conduct.
The charges come almost two months after the judges were shot in the early morning hours of May 1 outside a White Castle restaurant near downtown Indianapolis. The judges were in town to attend the Spring Judicial Conference.
Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 25(V)(A) provides that, “A judicial officer shall be suspended with pay by the Supreme Court without the necessity of action by the Commission upon the filing of an indictment or information charging the judicial officer in any court in the United States with a crime punishable as a felony under the laws of Indiana or the United States.”
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed judges pro tempore to hear cases in Clark Circuit 1 and Clark Circuit 2, where Adams and Jacobs preside. The appointed judges are still on the bench.
Prior to Friday, Adams had never been the subject of an attorney or judicial disciplinary action, according to the Indiana Roll of Attorneys.
Also charged Friday were Indianapolis residents Brandon Kaiser and Alfredo Vazquez. Jacobs was not charged in connection with the shooting.
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