Justices affirm woman’s LWOP sentence in murder-for-hire case
Indiana Supreme Court justices have affirmed a woman’s life sentence for her role in the murder of a family member, finding sufficient evidence to support her sentences and convictions.
Katie Stancombe
Articles
Chief Justice Rush sees growth, change in Supreme Court’s 2020-2021 report
During a Thursday conversation with Chief Justice Loretta Rush, the state’s highest judicial officer reflected on the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Indiana Supreme Court and discussed what’s to come in the new year.
LegCon: Hoosier legislative leaders discuss priorities
House and Senate leaders of the Indiana General Assembly gathered in Indianapolis Wednesday during the 30th annual Dentons Legislative Conference to discuss their priorities for the 2022 legislative session, ranging from COVID-vaccine mandates and marijuana use to critical race theory education and tax cuts.
Attorneys refreshed on ethical obligations in ‘new normal’ at LegCon
Attorneys were reminded about the dangers of allowing comfort and convenience exacerbated by the pandemic to bleed into professionalism during the 30th annual Dentons Legislative Conference on Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Indiana Supreme Court: Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District is a political subdivision, employee’s injury lawsuit untimely
Indiana Supreme Court justices have affirmed judgment for a commuter transportation district that operates a government-owned railroad against a man who was allegedly injured while working on the tracks, concluding that the district is a “political subdivision” under the Indiana Tort Claims Act.
Appellate court reinstates med-mal case against doctor who wasn’t served for 1 year
A doctor who wasn’t notified of a lawsuit against him until one year after it was filed must face the lawsuit after the Court of Appeals of Indiana reversed its dismissal.
Tax Court reverts Hobart mall’s property tax assessments, finds neither party met burden of proof
Neither an assessor nor a longtime northern Indiana shopping mall met their burdens of proof in an appeal contesting tax assessments of the mall’s property for 2015 and 2016, the Indiana Tax Court concluded, ordering for the assessments to revert back to their 2010 value.
Actors retell personal accounts of early Indiana district judges during court historical society event
The Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana recently invited members of the legal community to listen to the true experiences — both joyful and harrowing — of two of its earliest judges.
COA affirms domestic violence convictions after trial court declines mistrial
Finding no prosecutorial misconduct or circumstances warranting a mistrial, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed a man’s two felony convictions following a domestic violence incident.
7th Circuit: No duty of care owed to man injured while driving pallet jack
A pallet company did not owe a duty of care to a man whose foot was crushed and amputated after he was injured while operating a machine used to lift and transport pallets, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed.
Supreme Court affirms ruling for INDOT in injured motorist’s negligence case
An injured motorist who crashed his car into a tree after hydroplaning on Interstate 74 during a downpour did not convince the Indiana Supreme Court that his negligence suit against the Indiana Department of Transportation should proceed.
COA reverses possession conviction, finds Drugs.com not admissible as drug identification
A man convicted on multiple drug charges has secured a partial reversal after the Court of Appeals of Indiana determined that evidence obtained from a drug information website was inadmissible at his trial.
Ex-hospital employee’s unauthorized access to patient info leaves genuine questions of fact, COA rules
A hospital group and its former employee at odds over her unauthorized access of confidential patient records aren’t quite finished with their legal battle, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled Wednesday.
Plaintiffs trying to overturn Lake County JNC tap brakes on court proceeding as judicial selection moves forward
A federal court has granted a request by the plaintiffs challenging the judicial selection process in Lake County to toss their previously filed motion for a preliminary injunction, which sought to stop the local nominating commission from filling the superior court vacancy created by the death of Judge Diane Boswell. Meanwhile, the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is preparing for interviews with 12 candidates vying to fill the Lake Superior Court vacancy.
Inmates seeking COVID compassionate release face higher hurdle with 7th Circuit ruling
Since March 2020, attorney Kathryn DiNardo has taken up dozens of cases through the Indiana Federal Community Defenders from inmates hoping to be released early because of the pandemic. Those cases are but a drop in the bucket of inmates who have applied for compassionate release, and a July ruling from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has seemingly further dwindled their chances of success.
Web Exclusive: Cohen & Malad name partner Rick Malad retiring after 48 years
After nearly five decades, longtime attorney Rick Malad recently announced his retirement from Indianapolis’ Cohen & Malad LLP.
10 years after America Invents Act, IP lawyers have mixed feelings on challenge provisions
The America Invents Act sought to make the patent filing process easier, enabling American entrepreneurs and businesses to get inventions to the marketplace more quickly with fewer costs and unnecessary litigation. While that’s proven true for some, other members of the innovation community say those goals have been hit or miss over the last decade.
COA: Dissolution of marriage reversed in part for recalculation of marital estate
The Court of Appeals of Indiana has partially affirmed and reversed a couple’s dissolution of marriage, ordering the Hancock Circuit Court to recalculate and redetermine a just and reasonable division of the marital estate.
COA affirms dismissal of COVID-19 lawsuit by Granger parents against local school corporation, health department
A pair of Northern Indiana parents did not present a legal cause of action in a lawsuit filed against their local health department and children’s school corporation regarding decisions to conduct virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
COA: Roadside tech struck by tire entitled to underinsured-motorist benefits
An auto insurance company couldn’t convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana to change its mind about allowing a roadside assistance worker to receive underinsured-motorist coverage after he was injured while working.