To refine your search through our archives use our Advanced Search
The Court Alcohol and Drug Program Advisory Committee and the Problem-Solving Courts Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana are seeking public comment on the new rules governing problem-solving courts and amendments to the court-administered drug and alcohol programs.
It’s official: Indiana’s judicial canons are constitutional and the rules don’t infringe upon a judge or candidate’s free speech rights.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. David Lee Runyan
10-3400
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division, Judge James T. Moody.
Criminal. Affirms 63-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Runyan argued the District Court sentenced him without considering the care he gave his then-terminally ill father, but his argument rested on past caregiving rather than present caregiving and the District Court didn’t need to address it. Also finds the District Court’s commentary at sentencing to not be impermissibly one-sided.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
State of Indiana v. C.D.
55A01-1007-JV-342
Juvenile. Reverses grant of C.D.’s motion to suppress evidence. C.D. was not undergoing custodial interrogation when he answered a police officer’s questions and made an incriminating admission while in the principal’s office on suspicion of being impaired. He was not deprived of his right to meaningful conversation with his parents when the officer examined him. It was also reasonable for the principal to check C.D.’s backpack for marijuana or paraphernalia after it was believed C.D. was under the influence of marijuana. Remands for further proceedings.
Term. of Parent-Child Rel. of S.S.; I.S. v. IDCS (NFP)
29A05-1010-JT-646
Juvenile. Affirms involuntary termination of parental rights.
Sean Boylan v. Horvath Communications Inc., et al. (NFP)
71A04-1012-PL-776
Civil plenary. Affirms summary judgment for Horvath Communications and Jacqueline Horvath in Sean Boylan’s action alleging breach of contract, promissory estoppel, and unjust enrichment.
Edward Shaffer v. Wells Fargo Bank (NFP)
49A05-1007-MF-452
Mortgage foreclosure. Affirms summary judgment for Wells Fargo Bank after Edward Shaffer defaulted on mortgage payments. Affirms ordering of a $75,000 bond to stay the eviction proceedings.
C.B. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1009-JV-1089
Juvenile. Affirms adjudication for committing what would be Class B felony robbery and Class A misdemeanor battery if committed by an adult.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
The Indiana Supreme Court granted one transfer and denied two cases for the week ending April 29.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. David Lee Runyan
10-3400
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division, Judge James T. Moody.
Criminal. Affirms 63-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Runyan argued the District Court sentenced him without considering the care he gave his then-terminally ill father, but his argument rested on past caregiving rather than present caregiving and the District Court didn’t need to address it. Also finds the District Court’s commentary at sentencing to not be impermissibly one-sided.
The 2011 session of the Indiana General Assembly ended on schedule despite the weeks-long walkout by House Democrats. Now, bills impacting Indiana’s courts and legal community make their way to the governor’s desk.
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard is dealing with a painful pinched nerve in his neck but is working on managing the pain and has not been hospitalized as a result of the condition, said Supreme Court Public Information Officer Kathryn Dolan.
The Supreme Court of the United States has refused to take a case asking whether Indiana’s judicial canons constitutionally infringe on the free speech rights of those on or vying for seats on the bench.
For the first time, the Indiana Court of Appeals addressed an issue involving express contracts and equitable remedies and decided that the existence of a contract, in and of itself, doesn’t preclude equitable relief which isn’t inconsistent with the contract.
Until Friday, Indiana courts had never specifically addressed the application of the in loco parentis doctrine in the context of a private club sport that isn’t affiliated with a school. The Indiana Court of Appeals addressed the issue in a lawsuit against a private club volleyball coach and the volleyball club following the injury of a minor player while on private property.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Joni Gabriel, personal representative of the estate of Eugene A. Gabriel Jr. v. Loretta Gabriel, personal representative of the estate of Eugene A. Gabriel Sr.
34A04-1007-ES-438
Estate, supervised. Affirms trial court properly determined that Loretta’s action was not barred and the evidence supported the findings that Eugene Sr. had not transferred stock to Eugene Jr. Reverses determination regarding the ownership of the stock and the percentage of the estate that is to be distributed to Loretta and the remaining heirs. Remands with instructions to hear further evidence if necessary and to make additional findings as to the distribution of the estate.
Edwin Blinn, Jr. v. The Law Firm of Johnson, Beaman, Bratch, Beal and White, LLP
27A05-1011-CT-721
Civil tort. Affirms dismissal of Blinn’s complaint against the law firm, alleging the firm was vicariously liable for Beal’s malpractice. The trial court properly dismissed Blinn’s complaint because it was time-barred and was not saved by the Journey’s Account Statute.
Thomas J. Tarrance v. State of Indiana
60A01-1010-CR-570
Criminal. Dismisses Tarrance’s appeal of his sentence following a guilty plea to Class B felony robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. Tarrance didn’t timely file his notice of appeal, so it’s dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
Aaron R. Nichols v. State of Indiana
29A04-1008-CR-589
Criminal. Affirms denial of motion to correct error challenging the denial of Nichols’ motion to order the Indiana Department of Correction to amend the Sex Offender Registry to reflect that he was required to register as a sex offender for a 10-year period instead of for life. Rejects Nichols’ interpretation of “unrelated” to require a “conviction-and-re-offense” sequence. The reporting period is determined by law, not by the trial court or the DOC.
City of Mitchell, Indiana, et al. v. Steven Blair (NFP)
47A04-1011-PL-754
Civil plenary. Affirms trial court order reversing the Indiana Board of Works and Public Safety’s decision to terminate Blair’s employment with the Mitchell Police Department, and reinstating him with back pay.
John Pagorek v. Adrienne Garippo and Jimmy Warren (NFP)
45A03-1005-SC-243
Small claim. Affirms denial of Pagorek’s motion to correct error.
Brent Sims v. State of Indiana (NFP)
82A01-1007-CR-328
Criminal. Affirms convictions of felony murder and Class D felony neglect of a dependent.
Timothy Rene Warren v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A03-1009-CR-461
Criminal. Affirms sentence following guilty plea to theft.
Construction Labor Contractors, Inc. v. Masiongale Electrical-Mechanical, Inc. (NFP)
18A02-1008-CC-881
Civil collections. Reverses denial of Construction Labor Contractors Inc.’s denial of its motion to correct error seeking additur following a judgment in its favor against Masiongale Electrical-Mechanical. Remands with instructions.
Amy Whitaker v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A04-1010-PC-698
Post conviction. Affirms denial of petition for post-conviction relief.
Paternity of E.W.; L.W. v. C.M. (NFP)
65A01-1010-JP-588
Juvenile. Affirms order denying father’s petition to modify the physical custody of his daughter and the issuance of a modified parenting-time order.
R.W. v. Review Board (NFP)
93A02-1007-EX-802
Civil. Affirms finding that R.W. was discharged by his employer for just cause.
Simon Shulkin v. State of Indiana (NFP)
30A01-1012-CR-607
Criminal. Vacates conviction of Class C misdemeanor failure to stop after damage to a vehicle. Remands for a new trial.
Robert Arnold v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1010-CR-651
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class C felony child molesting.
Timothy A. Strait v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A03-1009-CR-536
Criminal. Affirms convictions of and sentence Class C felony child molesting, Class D felony domestic battery, and Class D felony criminal confinement, which was entered as a Class A misdemeanor.
Avonte Yarbrough v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1010-CR-1088
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B felony battery.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Steven A. Coppolillo v. Anthony Cort
45A05-1007-PL-433
Civil plenary. Reverses summary judgment in favor of Cort on Coppolillo’s suit for unjust enrichment. The parties’ contract does not preclude Coppolillo’s claim in equity against Cort. There is a material dispute of fact as to whether Cort was unjustly enriched. Remands for further proceedings.
The Indiana Court of Appeals was divided Friday in reversing a man’s conviction of stalking. The decision hinged on their interpretations of the term “repeated” in Indiana’s anti-stalking laws.
A week after the federal government announced it would seek the death penalty against the prime suspect in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, the Department of Defense has appointed an Indianapolis attorney to represent the man who will face the first military tribunal under President Barack Obama’s administration.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Ben and Elaine Life v. F.C. Tucker Company, Inc., et al.
49A02-1008-CC-931
Civil collections. Affirms denial of the Lifes’ motion to correct error following summary judgment in favor of defendants F.C. Tucker Co. and Tucker Home Link. The Lifes’ response to Tucker’s motion for summary judgment was late and the trial court didn’t err in striking it along with the designation of evidence and attached affidavits. There is no contract between Tucker and the Lifes, so summary judgment for Tucker on the breach of contract claim and negligence claim was appropriate.
Term. of Parent-Child Rel. of I.A., et al.; K.B. v. IDCS (NFP)
02A03-1008-JT-437
Juvenile. Affirms termination of parental rights.
Rodney A. Covington v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A04-1007-CR-465
Criminal. Affirms revocation of work release and imposition of the balance of Covington’s suspended sentence.
Brandon Lee Johnson v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A03-1006-CR-367
Criminal. Affirms convictions of and sentence for murder and attempted murder.
Michael Fields v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1008-CR-480
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.
Kendall D. McGee v. State of Indiana (NFP)
20A03-1010-CR-568
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class C felony criminal confinement, Class D felony strangulation, Class A misdemeanor battery, and finding that McGee is a habitual offender.
John W. Williams v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1009-CR-555
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class D felony criminal recklessness.
Terry Martin v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1010-CR-1130
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor domestic battery.
Mary Maksimik v. SLB Mobil, Inc., et al. (NFP)
64A03-1010-CT-526
Civil tort. Affirms summary judgment in favor of SLB and other defendants in Maksimik’s suit alleging breach of duty of care.
Corey Pannell v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A04-1008-CR-513
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class B felony possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, Class D felony intimidation, and Class D felony criminal recklessness.
Jonathan Grider Jr. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
16A01-1011-CR-599
Criminal. Affirms order revoking probation and ordering Grider to serve the balance of his suspended sentence.
John Bradley IV v. State of Indiana (NFP)
57A03-1009-CR-488
Criminal. Affirms denial of motion to withdraw guilty plea.
Steve A. Thomas v. Phyllis A. Briggs (NFP)
09A04-1007-DR-446
Domestic relation. Affirms order that Thomas pay a child support arrearage.
Carl Hoover v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1008-CR-519
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class D felony child seduction, upon which conviction was entered as a Class A misdemeanor.
Anahel A. Amaya v. State of Indiana (NFP)
20A05-1008-CR-598
Criminal. Revises sentence for 10 counts of child molesting as Class A felonies to 60 years.
Scott Wayne Mosby and Shelly M. Mosby (NFP)
62A01-1011-DR-579
Domestic relation. Affirms order that Scott Mosby pay permanent maintenance of $1,000 a month.
Phillip D. Hartsough v. State of Indiana (NFP)
20A03-1006-CR-343
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class B felony dealing in methamphetamine and Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.
Gale S. Shawyer v. State of Indiana (NFP)
29A04-1007-CR-503
Criminal. Affirms revocation of probation.
Term. of Parent-Child Rel. of D.H., et al.; Y.H. v. IDCS (NFP)
71A03-1009-JT-507
Juvenile. Affirms involuntary termination of parental rights.
R.B. v. Review Board (NFP)
93A02-1004-EX-497
Civil. Affirms denial of unemployment benefits.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Andrew C. Koons v. United States of America
09-3025
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, Chief Judge Richard L. Young.
Civil. Affirms denial of Koons’ motion to vacate his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Koons failed to establish that his trial counsel’s performance was constitutionally deficient.
For the first time, the Indiana Court of Appeals addressed whether it’s possible to create an escrow absent an escrow agreement or fee.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the denial of a defendant’s motion to vacate his guilty plea, claiming ineffective assistance of trial counsel. The judges found the record foreclosed any claim that the man’s attorney was constitutionally ineffective or that the man didn’t otherwise knowingly and voluntarily plead guilty.
The Indiana Court of Appeals travels to Wabash Friday to hear arguments in an insurance case.
The Indiana Court of Appeals split as to whether only a chronological case summary entry indicating a man’s admissions to violating terms of community corrections placement is enough to bypass holding an evidentiary hearing.
An amendment to the statute governing credit-time eligibility for people on home detention in criminal corrections programs is not retroactive, therefore, a defendant isn’t entitled to credit time under the amendment, the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded Wednesday.