Articles

7th Circuit temporarily stays federal execution set for next week

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily stayed an execution scheduled for next week after finding that two issues raised by a Terre Haute inmate were “worthy of further exploration.” Wesley Ira Purkey’s execution was scheduled for July 15, but now it will be stayed “pending the completion of proceedings in the Seventh Circuit.”

Read More

Justices rule states can bind presidential electors’ votes

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that states can require presidential electors to back their states’ popular vote winner in the Electoral College. The ruling, just under four months before the 2020 election, leaves in place laws in 32 states and the District of Columbia that bind electors to vote for the popular-vote winner, and […]

Read More

Opinions July 2, 2020

Indiana Court of Appeals
Thomas R. Ysursa and Becker, Hoerner, Thompson & Ysursa, P.C. v. Frontier Professional Baseball, Inc.
20A-CT-49
Civil tort. Affirms the Marion Superior Commercial Court’s denial of the Ysursa parties’ motion to dismiss a lawsuit asserting legal malpractice over its involvement in litigation stemming from a failed bid to locate a Frontier Professional Baseball League team in Kokomo. Finds the commercial court did not err in finding there were sufficient minimum contacts between Ysursa and Indiana to establish personal jurisdiction, and the ruling was not unreasonable.

Read More

Opinions June 30, 2020

Indiana Supreme Court
Marcus Lee McCain v. State of Indiana
20S-CR-281
Criminal. Affirms Marcus Lee McCain’s 45-year sentence for his conviction of voluntary manslaughter in the killing of Marcel Harris. Finds the Lake Superior Court did not abuse its discretion in imposing the sentence. Also finds that under Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B), the sentence is not inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and McCain’s character.

Read More

Opinions June 29, 2020

Indiana Supreme Court
State of Indiana v. Wesley Ryder
20S-CR-435
Criminal. Reverses an order of the Marion Superior Court suppressing evidence of a blood draw from an off-duty police trainee who was charged with multiple offenses including operating while intoxicated following a wrong-way crash on Interstate 465 in Indianapolis. Finds that the judge who authorized the warrant for the blood draw certified probable cause contemporaneously and in writing, and that even if she had not, the warrant was still valid under Indiana’s substantial compliance filing doctrine. Remands for proceedings. Justice Slaughter concurs in part without separate opinion.

Read More

New and improved PACER system unveiled

The electronic PACER federal court records system is sporting a new look and improved functions as part of its first major upgrade in a decade. New features are touted as enabling users to more easily navigate the system, more quickly find what they are seeking, and get better access on their mobile devices. The upgrade also is designed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

Read More