U.S. Supreme Court nixes anti-abortion group’s appeal over videos
The Supreme Court of the United States rejected an appeal from an anti-abortion group whose members surreptitiously recorded Planned Parenthood employees.
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Democrats to prepare subpoenas for full Mueller report
The House Judiciary Committee will prepare subpoenas this week seeking special counsel Robert Mueller’s full Russia report as the Justice Department appears likely to miss an April 2 deadline set by Democrats for the report’s release.
Police: 75-year-old Gary man says gay slur led to fatal stabbing
A 75-year-old man who described himself as a retired drag queen told authorities he fatally stabbed a 64-year-old man who allegedly used a gay slur during a dispute. Police responded Tuesday night to an apartment building in Gary and found Carlos Johnson, who had multiple stab wounds.
Ex-Goodwill worker gets prison for recording bathroom videos at Fishers store
A former Goodwill employee has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for secretly recording bathroom videos of workers at a suburban Indianapolis store. Ritchie Hodges was given his punishment Thursday.
COA rejects argument that children adopted by unmarried uncle were ‘born out of wedlock’
The grandparents of two children adopted by their unmarried uncle do not have standing to seek visitation, the Indiana Court of Appeals wrote Friday in an opinion rejecting the argument that the children were “born out of wedlock.”
‘Pursuit of happiness’ marijuana case seeks Hoosier justices’ consideration
A case dealing with a man’s constitutional right to the pursuit of happiness in the form of a marijuana blunt is possibly headed to the state's highest court now that a petition to transfer has been filed.
COA: Statute of limitations for AG to act on SBOA report begins when verified report is filed
Claims made by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office against a former Jennings County bookkeeper accrued upon the office’s receipt of a final investigation report, not a preliminary report, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Friday in a case of first impression.
Supreme Court won’t stop enforcement of bump stock ban
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to stop the Trump administration from enforcing its ban on bump stock devices, which allow semi-automatic weapons to fire like machine guns. The ban took effect Tuesday.
Boone County doc charged with abusing 3 boys gives up license
A central Indiana pediatrician charged with sexually abusing three boys has voluntary surrendered his medical license for 90 days. Attorney General Curtis Hill announced Thursday that his office has reached an agreement for the surrender with attorneys for 41-year-old Dr. Jonathon Cavins of Jamestown.
Man charged with murder in Lake County in 2011 disappearance of his mother
A 46-year-old man has been charged with murder eight years after the disappearance of his 70-year-old mother in northwestern Indiana. The Post-Tribune reports Paul Monet Fontaine was booked at the Lake County Jail this week after being extradited from Las Vegas, where he was living.
Mueller report more than 300 pages; Dems demand full release
Special counsel Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia report is more than 300 pages long, it was revealed Thursday, sparking fresh criticism from Democrats arguing that Attorney General William Barr’s four-page summary was gravely inadequate and the full findings must be quickly released.
7th Circuit reverses unwarranted gun sentence enhancement
The fact that drugs and guns were in the same place at the same time wasn’t enough to prove a man should have received a sentence enhancement for his convictions, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, finding no connection between his felony cocaine possession and firearms.
Justices: ‘Reliable assurance’ of accident defense upholds conviction in baby’s death
A man’s convictions of neglect of his infant daughter resulting in death was affirmed Wednesday by the Indiana Supreme Court when justices ruled it was not improper under Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b) to admit other-bad-acts evidence to show lack of accident, so long as a there was reliable assurance that an accident defense would be raised.
Clowers appointed to Posey County bench
Travis Clowers has been appointed to the Posey Superior Court, succeeding Judge Brent Almon who retired last month. Clowers will be sworn in as judge at a later date.
Nonprofit denied abortion clinic challenging licensing rules
A nonprofit group stymied in its 18-month bid to open a South Bend abortion clinic is seeking a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order blocking Indiana’s rules licensing such operations.
South Bend murder suspect convicted after dying in jail
A judge has convicted a man who died in jail after he pleaded guilty to murder in the 1988 beating death of a pregnant South Bend woman.
COA: Med-mal dismissal affirmed for counsel’s untimely filings
A woman who partially blamed her attorney’s personal problems for her failure to timely file pleadings in her proposed medical malpractice complaints could not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that her case should not be dismissed. Among other things, the appellate panel simply found she failed to spend her time wisely.
Lawmakers pass bills adding new courts, judicial officers
Several bills seeking extra judicial assistance for Indiana counties struggling under overburdened caseloads have successfully made their cases to both legislative chambers. With that approval secured, the next stop is the governor’s desk.
Justice deny transfer to 13 cases
The Indiana Supreme Court denied granting transfer in any of the 13 cases brought before its bench last week, including a case involving a gun robbery consisting of more than a dozen firearms and a debt suit lacking malicious intent.
Indiana man cleared after child fires gun he dropped at Ikea
A suburban Indianapolis man who dropped a loaded handgun in an Ikea store that was found and fired by a child has been acquitted of criminal recklessness.