Supreme Court revives St. Louis police in-custody death case
The Supreme Court on Monday revived claims of excessive force against St. Louis police officers in a case in which a homeless man died after being restrained in handcuffs and leg shackles.
Court opinions
Articles
High court rejects New Hampshire-Massachusetts tax dispute
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to allow New Hampshire to sue neighboring Massachusetts over an income tax dispute involving people who have been working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Justices deny Wyoming, Montana coal suit against Washington
The U.S. Supreme Court decided Monday that it won’t allow Wyoming and Montana to sue Washington state for denying a key permit to build a coal export dock that would have sent coal to Asia.
Judge dismisses gov’t antitrust lawsuits against Facebook
A federal judge on Monday dismissed antitrust lawsuits brought against Facebook by the Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of state attorneys general, a significant blow to attempts by regulators to rein in tech giants.
Opinions June 28, 2021
Indiana Court of Appeals
Krause-Franzen Farms, Inc., David P. Krause, Jane E. Krause, and Philip C. Krause v. Tippecanoe School Corporation
21A-PL-115
Civil plenary. Affirms the Tippecanoe Superior Court’s order in favor of Tippecanoe School Corporation on its condemnation action and overruling Krause-Franzen Farms Inc., David P. Krause, Jane E. Krause and Philip C. Krause’s objection. Finds TSC is not appropriating property because it might wish to use the property in the future. Also finds the evidence does not point solely to a conclusion that TSC has exceeded its authority.
Buyer prevails in tax sale dispute with mortgage holders
A financial group has secured a reversal in its favor from the Indiana Court of Appeals after its originally successful bid at a tax sale went south.
COA rules for Tippecanoe School Corp. in expansion dispute with local landowners
A Tippecanoe County school corporation received a favorable ruling from the Indiana Court of Appeals on Monday in its bid to turn local farmland into a new middle school.
Appellate court remands for mother in grandparent visitation dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals has agreed with a Hamilton County mother who argued that grandparent visitation granted to her late husband’s parents was not supported by adequate findings.
COA allows defendant to take deposition of alleged child sex abuse victim
Following a recent decision that struck down a law limiting when defendants can take the deposition of an alleged child sex abuse victim, the Indiana Court of Appeals has once again allowed a defendant accused of child sex crimes to take the deposition of his accuser.
Indiana court rules prison can take cash from inmate account
The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled against an inmate who sued after money was withdrawn from his prison account to pay for the medical bills of a correctional officer he injured 30 years ago.
Supreme Court sides with Alaska Natives in COVID-19 aid case
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that hundreds of millions of dollars in coronavirus relief money tied up in court should benefit Alaska Natives rather than be spread more broadly among Native American tribes around the U.S.
High court expands eligibility for Clean Air Act exemption
The Supreme Court on Friday said an expanded number of small refineries can seek an exemption from certain renewable fuel requirements.
Opinions June 25, 2021
Michael R. Jent v. Bureau Of Motor Vehicles (mem. dec.)
20A-CT-02096
Civil tort. Affirms the dismissal of Michael Jent’s complaint against the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Finds any error committed by the Marion Superior Court in granting the BMV’s motion to dismiss Jent’s complaint with prejudice was harmless.
Opinions June 24, 2021
Indiana Court of Appeals
Kennic T. Brown v. State of Indiana
20A-CR-2261
Criminal. Affirms the denial of Kennic Brown’s motion to dismiss his charge of Level 6 felony battery against a public safety officer. Finds the disciplinary action taken by the Indiana Department of Correction against Brown for his conduct violation does not preclude the state’s criminal prosecution of him for the same act. Also finds Brown’s motion to dismiss the criminal charge against him on double jeopardy grounds was correctly denied.
Opinions June 24, 2021
Indiana Court of Appeals
Kennic T. Brown v. State of Indiana
20A-CR-2261
Criminal. Affirms the denial of Kennic Brown’s motion to dismiss his charge of Level 6 felony battery against a public safety officer. Finds the disciplinary action taken by the Indiana Department of Correction against Brown for his conduct violation does not preclude the state’s criminal prosecution of him for the same act. Also finds Brown’s motion to dismiss the criminal charge against him on double jeopardy grounds was correctly denied.
Finding error, COA reverses denial of tax sale
The deceased owner’s brother has lost possession of a 10-foot-wide vacant lot after the Indiana Court of Appeals found the trial court was “clearly erroneous” in finding the purchaser did not give proper notice.
Inmate’s discipline sanction doesn’t preclude criminal prosecution for same act, COA rules
Disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Indiana Department of Correction against a Miami County inmate for battering an officer did not constitute double jeopardy barring criminal prosecution, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
COA affirms denial of summary judgment to Howard Co. after botched 911 call
A genuine issue of material fact still exists on the willful or wanton exception to governmental immunity for the use of a 911 system in the case of mishandled Howard County emergency call that resulted in a woman’s death, the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed.
Geologist loses second wrongful-termination lawsuit against INDOT
A geologist who tried to detour around the summary judgment granted to the Indiana Department of Transportation in his wrongful-termination lawsuit was blocked by 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found he was trying to take a road he had already traveled.
Opinions June 23, 2021
Indiana Court of Appeals
Thomas D. Hunter v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
20A-PC-1293
Post-conviction. Affirms the denial of Thomas Hunter’s petition for post-conviction relief following his guilty plea to felony murder. Finds Hunter failed to prove he was denied due process based on an alleged Brady violation or that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel.