Articles

Opinions Oct. 27, 2021

Indiana Court of Appeals
Benjamin Bertucci, Individually and Next Best Friend of Ayana Bertucci, a Minor v. Donald Bertucci and Anita Remijas
21A-CT-360
Civil tort. Affirms partial summary judgement and a cross-motion for attorney fees and costs to Donald Bertucci. Finds Bertucci wasn’t at fault for his granddaughter being bitten by a dog on his jointly owned home in Long Beach. Also finds the LaPorte Superior Court didn’t abuse its discretion. Judge L. Mark Bailey concurs in part and dissents in part with separate opinion.

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Indiana Court Decisions – Oct. 7-20, 2021

Indiana Supreme Court Oct. 7 Civil Tort-Mental Health/Motion to Amend Betty Miller, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of John Allen Miller v. Laxeshkumar Patel, M.D., John Schiltz, M.D., Benjamin Coplan, M.D., Joseph Hill, M.D., Erik Fossum, M.D., Bradford Hale, M.D., Christine Tran, M.D., James Blickendorf, M.D., Robert McAllister, M.D., Sara Koerwitz, M.D., […]

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Opinions Oct. 26, 2021

Indiana Court of Appeals

Jason Gay v. Monroe County Community School Corporation (mem. dec.)
21A-PL-185
Civil plenary. Affirms the Monroe Circuit Court’s grant of summary judgment to the Monroe County Community School Corporation over its removal of trees near Jason Gay’s property. Finds the designated evidence indicates that no genuine issue of material fact existed and that MCCSC is entitled to judgment as a matter of law regarding its boundary dispute with Gay. Also finds the trial court properly entered summary judgment for MCCSC.

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Opinions Oct. 21, 2021

Indiana Court of Appeals
In the Matter of K.W. and R.W. (Children in Need of Services) and D.W. (Father) v. Indiana Department of Child Services
21A-JC-598
Juvenile CHINS. Affirms the determination that father D.W.’s children, K.W. and R.W., are children in need of services. Finds the fact-finding hearing and dispositional hearing were continued for good cause pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 53.5. Also finds the evidence supports the Marion Superior Court’s conclusion that the children are CHINS.

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COA: Hearings delayed for good cause in CHINS case

The Marion Superior Court, Juvenile Division had good cause when it delayed a pair of hearings in a recent child in need of services case, and the evidence against a father of two supported the trial court’s conclusion that his kids are CHINS, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.

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Opinions Oct. 20, 2021

Indiana Court of Appeals
Gerald Pinkston v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
20A-CR-2216
Criminal. Affirms Gerald Pinkston’s convictions of three counts of murder and one count of criminal recklessness, and his sentence to an aggregate of 166 years. Finds Pinkston failed to demonstrate reversible error resulting from the admission of a .40 caliber handgun and testimony by a detective, the Allen Superior Court’s accomplice liability instructions or the deputy prosecutor’s conduct. Also finds the state proved the offenses beyond a reasonable doubt and that Pinkston’s sentence is not inappropriate considering his offenses and character. 

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Opinions Oct. 19, 2021

Indiana Court of Appeals
Richard Allen Byrd v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
21A-CR-637
Criminal. Affirms the Howard Circuit Court’s sentencing of Richard Allen Byrd to an aggregate of five years, with three years suspended to supervised probation, for his convictions of Level 6 felony sexual battery. Finds Byrd’s guilty plea isn’t substantially mitigating as he gained a benefit by having Level 4 felony child molesting charges exchanged for Level 6 felony battery convictions. Also finds the executed portion of his sentencing appropriate.

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