Magistrate chides ‘bloated filings’ in long-running gun dispute
A federal magistrate judge in a protracted trademark dispute over the design of competing firearms took aim Tuesday at lawyers he said were slowing the case.
Court opinions
Articles
Savings clause of 2014 criminal code revision not unconstitutional
The Indiana Court of Appeals rejected a man’s claim that the savings clause of the 2014 criminal code revision violates the Equal Privileges and Immunities Clause of the Indiana Constitution.
COA: Trial court properly admitted drug evidence
The Indiana Court of Appeals held that a trial court acted within its discretion when it admitted evidence found after executing a search warrant of a large quantity of marijuana in a defendant’s backpack, which led to the revocation of the defendant’s probation.
Woman’s theft, check deception convictions affirmed
The Court of Appeals concluded Wednesday that a defendant did not establish that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing her proffered jury instruction or in the admission of pretrial identification evidence.
7th Circuit affirms denial of railroad disability benefits
A railroad worker treated in Indiana for years for back injuries and pain failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals he was entitled to federal disability benefits.
Justices find nature of murders supports death penalty
A Gary man who shot and killed his wife and her two children at close range will remain on death row, the Indiana Supreme Court concluded Wednesday.
Man’s life without parole sentence upheld
There is sufficient evidence to affirm a Fulton County man’s sentence of life without parole for his connection in the murder of an elderly woman during a home invasion, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
Double jeopardy requires reversal of 1 of prisoner’s convictions
An inmate in the Miami Correctional Facility scored a partial victory before the Indiana Supreme Court Tuesday. The justices reversed one of his convictions for battering a correctional officer, but declined to reduce his eight-year sentence.
7th Circuit again denies Notre Dame’s request for injunction in contraception suit
A month after rehearing the University of Notre Dame’s request for a preliminary injunction that it need not comply with the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals again affirmed the denial of the school’s request.
Indiana judge weighs fate of BMV overcharges case
A judge is weighing the fate of a lawsuit targeting the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles after he heard arguments Monday in the case alleging that the BMV overcharged motorists by tens of millions of dollars for fees and services.
Failure to buckle a seatbelt cannot be used to prove contributory negligence
The city of Fort Wayne will not be able to present evidence at trial that an injured passenger in a traffic accident was not wearing a seatbelt. The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled that a violation of the state’s Seatbelt Act may not be used to prove contributory negligence.
Former Lake County clerk given 4-year suspension
The former clerk of Lake County who used federal funds to pay himself bonuses has been suspended from the practice of law after the Indiana Supreme Court found he had betrayed the public’s trust and violated both his oath of office and of attorneys.
Justices author dissents in appeal denials
The Indiana Supreme Court won’t hear two cases in which justices felt compelled to write dissents arguing why they believed toxic-litigation and marital estate distribution appeals should be heard.
Supreme Court voids Maryland tax similar to Indiana tax
The Supreme Court of the United States on Monday struck down a Maryland tax that has the effect of double-taxing income residents earned in other states.
Police immune from lawsuit over arrest of mentally ill woman
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday that police are immune from a lawsuit arising from the arrest and shooting of a mentally ill woman in San Francisco.
Property owners have no duty for tenant’s free-running dog
Although the landlords provided the means to restrain the tenant’s dog, they are not responsible for the injuries a motorcyclist sustained when the pooch dashed into the road and caused an accident.
Justices make it easier to sue over 401(k) plans
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled unanimously Monday in favor of participants in employee retirement plans who object to companies’ investment decisions that eat into retirement savings.
SCOTUS: Convicted felons can sell their guns
A unanimous Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday that the government can’t prevent a convicted felon who is barred from possessing firearms from trying to sell his guns after they are confiscated by authorities.
Admission of recording is harmless error
A recording of a victim’s conversation with friends should not have been admitted into evidence at trial, but the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled it was a harmless error.
Tax Court affirms Zionsville office assessment
The Indiana Tax Court on Thursday affirmed the real estate assessment of an office building on Zionsville’s Main Street in Boone County.