Latest News - The Indiana Lawyer

7th Circuit: Ineffective attorneys argument in fraud case deserves a hearing

June 25, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

After the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the district court’s denial of his motion to vacate his sentence, an Indiana man will have the chance to present his argument that if he had not followed the advice of his “constitutionally ineffective” lawyers and turned down a plea offer, his sentence would have been significantly less than the 92 months he received. One of the lawyers he accuses is now a magistrate judge.

Justices to review murder verdict overturned due to lawyer’s lie on jury form

June 25, 2020 | IL Staff

A Vanderburgh County jury’s guilty verdict in a murder case that was overturned on appeal because a lawyer who served as the jury forewoman lied on her jury questionnaire will be reviewed by the Indiana Supreme Court.

Divided appeals court orders dismissal of Michael Flynn prosecution

June 25, 2020 | Associated Press

A divided federal appeals court on Wednesday ordered the dismissal of the criminal case against President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, turning back efforts by a judge to scrutinize the Justice Department’s extraordinary decision to drop the prosecution.

Judgment of $246K for Carmel landlord upheld in business lease dispute

June 25, 2020 | Dave Stafford

A Carmel landlord was properly awarded damages of nearly $250,000 plus attorney fees in a dispute over unpaid office rent, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. The appellate court found no grounds for disturbing a Hamilton Superior Court’s judgment that discredited the tenant’s argument.

Judge orders Lawson to produce emails, documents on voting-machine security

June 25, 2020 | John Russell, Indianapolis Business Journal

A Marion Superior judge has ordered Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson to produce documents to back up her claim that the public should not see emails and other communications about the reliability and security of voting machines because they could jeopardize cyberterrorism security.

Purdue expels student for racist statements on social media

June 25, 2020 | Associated Press

Purdue University President Mitch Daniels has expelled an undergraduate student for “racist and despicable” statements he made on social media. Purdue said in a news release Tuesday that Daniels determined that repeated statements posted by Maxwell Lawrence “appear plainly intended to incite others and therefore create a risk of public safety issues in the current environment.”

AG Hill, Republican attorneys general back police amid congressional debate

June 25, 2020 | Associated Press

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill joined 11 Republican state attorneys general who weighed in this week on the congressional debate over policing amid the national push to stop racial bias in law enforcement.

Police overhaul dims, but House Democrats push ahead on vote

June 25, 2020 | Associated Press

With a policing overhaul stalled in the Senate, House Democrats are returning to Washington for a daylong debate and vote on their sweeping proposal to address the global outcry over the death of George Floyd and other Black Americans.

Holcomb announces $25 million in relief for renters

June 24, 2020 | Associated Press

Indiana will use $25 million in federal relief funding to help Hoosiers struggling to pay rent due to the impact of coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday. The governor also extended through July a moratorium on evictions that had been schedule to expire at the end of June.

Expert: Attorneys are families’ best defense in coming eviction storm

June 24, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

While still unknown how many families will lose their place to live once the moratoria on evictions are lifted in Indiana and other states, a leading housing expert says the best treatment is providing attorneys to represent those families in court.

Appeals court tosses battery with deadly weapon conviction

June 24, 2020 | Dave Stafford

A man’s confession to police was ruled insufficient without other evidence of a crime to support his conviction of battery with a deadly weapon, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, vacating a conviction in a domestic violence case.

COA upholds escape conviction but encourages Legislature to reconsider statute

June 24, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

Even while the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the two escape convictions of a Shelby County man, the appellate panel noted it was concerned that the defendant who was ultimately found not guilty still has a pair of felonies on his record for “relatively minor violations” of pretrial home detention rules.

Justices grant expungement petition that led to change in law

June 24, 2020 | Dave Stafford

Confusion over prolonged expungement wait times that Indiana’s longest-serving judge called “unjust” was settled Wednesday when the Indiana Supreme Court declared a new law that eliminated the confusion applies retroactively.

In 3-2 ruling, justices affirm car search in warrant for search of home

June 24, 2020 | Dave Stafford

Indiana’s chief justice and most senior justice dissented Wednesday from a decision upholding the admission of evidence in a drug case collected from a vehicle that arrived at a Camby home at the same time police were inside the house executing a search warrant that was limited to the property. A justice who sided with the majority, however, said the split decision is evidence that key caselaw regarding law enforcement searches and seizures may need to be revisited.

White House wins ruling on health care price disclosure

June 24, 2020 | Associated Press

The Trump administration won a court ruling Tuesday upholding its plan to require insurers and hospitals to disclose prices for common tests and procedures in a bid to promote competition and push down costs.

Prosecutor: Trump ally Roger Stone was ‘treated differently’

June 24, 2020 | Associated Press

A federal prosecutor is prepared to tell Congress on Wednesday that Roger Stone, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was given special treatment ahead of his sentencing because of his relationship with the president.

FBI names Keenan special agent in charge for Indianapolis

June 24, 2020 | Associated Press

FBI Director Christopher Wray has named Paul Keenan special agent in charge of the Indianapolis field office, the agency announced Tuesday. The longtime agent, investigator, analyst and supervisor is an Indiana University graduate.

Filing: Victims deserve ex-Colt quarterback’s concussion funds

June 24, 2020 | Associated Press

Multiple individuals defrauded in a scheme perpetrated by an ex-Ohio State and Indianapolis Colts quarterback and his accomplice should receive money from the former player’s share of a national concussion settlement, an Ohio prosecutor argues.

Web Exclusive: Attorney’s restoration brings river house back to life

June 24, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

Before she even saw the house at auction, Beverly Corn firmly put her foot down with a resounding no. “I kept saying, ‘I’m not doing it. I don’t know what donkey you think is going to drag me into this, I’m not doing it,’” Corn said. But that was two years ago, before the newly christened Riparian House in her childhood hometown came back to life with her help.

Economic excitement: Immigration law firm plans to boost businesses, communities with foreign investors

June 24, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

Marco Moreno was introduced to the idea of economic development by watching a rundown, forgotten neighborhood in Indianapolis get a second chance. He came to the Circle City to study law and was intrigued by the neighborhood redevelopment work. A few years later, his interest was reignited when he learned how regional centers were boosting international funding for projects designed to grow businesses and help communities in the United States. Now the immigration attorney is running a unique regional center in Indianapolis.

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