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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe following opinion was posted after IL’s deadline Thursday:
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Blake Stewardson v. Christopher Titus and Cameron Biggs, et.al.
23-3262 & 23-3343
Civil. Appeals from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division. Judge Damon Leichty. Affirms a jury’s $850,000 punitive damages award against Cass County Officer Christopher Titus in an excessive force claim. Also affirms the district court’s decisions granting Officer Cameron Biggs and Cass County’s sheriff summary judgment. Finds the jury assessed a punitive damages award against Titus that falls within the constitutionally permissible range. Also finds because Biggs did not violate clearly established law when he delivered two knee strikes or when he failed to prevent Titus’s final use of force against Blake Stewardson, he is entitled to qualified immunity. Finally, finds Stewardson has not offered sufficient evidence to proceed against Cass County’s sheriff, on a theory of Monell liability. Judge Candace Jackson-Akiwumi dissents in part with a separate opinion. Attorney for appellant: Pamela Schneeman. Attorneys for appellees: Duran Keller, Martell Harris.
Friday opinions
Indiana Court of Appeals
Madison N. Thomas v. State of Indiana
24A-CR-1243
Criminal. Affirms Allen Superior Court Judge Frances Gull’s sentence of Madison Thomas to one-and-a-half years in prison after Thomas pleaded guilty to three counts of Level 6 felony drug possession, divided between two cases. Finds the trial court revoked her bond when she violated the terms of her pretrial release and Thomas then violated the terms of the drug court program, for which she was sanctioned with jail time, before being removed from the program for a second violation. Also finds Thomas has failed to demonstrate this is one of the exceptional cases in which the appellate court should exercise its power to revise sentences. Attorney for appellant: Donald Frew. Attorneys for appellee: Attorney General Todd Rokita, Deputy Attorney General Sierra Murray, Certified Legal Intern Maya Stirm.
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