South Bend prosecutor looking into untested rape kits
A northern Indiana county prosecutor says he doesn’t know why hundreds of rape kits were not sent away to a crime lab for testing.
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Michigan man sentenced for nearly $1M Indiana fraud scheme
A Michigan man has been sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison for a fraud scheme in which authorities say he stole nearly $1 million from people investing in his Indianapolis-based business.
Fraternity appeals school’s decision after hazing probe
A fraternity at the University of Southern Indiana is appealing the school’s decision to withdraw recognition of the organization’s chapter following hazing and alcohol violations.
Civil Rights Commission’s $96K discrimination award upheld
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a nearly $100,000 judgment in favor of a black man who claims he was subject to discriminatory practices by his former employer after ruling the Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s finding in favor of the man was not invalid or void.
COA vacates carrying a handgun without a license adjudication
A juvenile adjudicated as a delinquent for two handgun-related offenses will have one of those adjudications vacated after the Indiana Court of Appeals found a lack of statutory authority to support the adjudication.
Charitable exemption for Starke County nonprofit upheld
A Starke County mental health non-profit was properly awarded a partial charitable exemption on its real property because the nonprofit provides a public benefit and lessens the government’s burden of addressing mental health issues, the Indiana Tax Court ruled Friday.
7th Circuit gives new remand instructions on petition for rehearing
After withdrawing a September opinion to correct an error in remand instructions, a panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has once again ordered a district court judge to partially vacate two men’s child pornography convictions in order to correct a double jeopardy violation.
Justices to decide if med-mal case must be dismissed on free speech grounds
The future of a medical malpractice complaint against a doctor who reported suspected child abuse in her patient will be decided by the justices of the Indiana Supreme Court, who must determine whether the doctor’s report was protected by an Indiana free speech statute.
Huntington judge faces sex-based harassment suit
A longtime judge in Huntington County at the center of a separate recent controversy has been sued by a county employee who alleges she was the victim of the judge’s “campaign of sex-based harassment, discrimination, and retaliation” that “created a hostile and oppressive workplace environment.”
COA: Moving account to new brokerage doesn’t change bequest
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected a widow’s appeal that sought to declare her late husband’s investment account extinct because it had been moved to a new brokerage, but the move had not been amended in his will.
Michigan doctor gets 60-year prison sentence for child porn
An elite Michigan sports doctor who possessed child pornography and assaulted gymnasts was sentenced Thursday to 60 years in federal prison in one of three criminal cases that ensure he will never be free again.
Portage officials mull suing US Steel
Officials of a northern Indiana city have condemned U.S. Steel’s silence over an October spill of a potentially carcinogenic chemical into a Lake Michigan tributary.
Man convicted in shootings at 2 Indianapolis police offices
A man has been convicted in shootings last year at two Indianapolis police district offices.
Lawsuit: Gary’s ordinance violates ‘sanctuary city’ ban
An influential conservative lawyer is suing a northwestern Indiana city for allegedly violating the state’s ban on so-called sanctuary cities with its “welcoming city” ordinance approved earlier this year.
Gov. Holcomb files appeal in Bloomington annexation dispute
Gov. Eric Holcomb is turning to the Indiana Court of Appeals after the Monroe Circuit Court denied the governor’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the city of Bloomington over an annexation dispute. Special Judge Frank Nardi issued a stay Dec. 4 on further court proceedings pending an interlocutory review.
Attorney suspended 6 months for work with California firm
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended a Carmel attorney from the practice of law for six months after finding he engaged in an improper business relationship with an out-of-state corporation.
Grand jury to hear case of rail officer’s shooting of teen
A grand jury in Elkhart will decide whether a railroad officer was justified when he shot a 13-year-old boy who led police on a car chase.
Justices weigh if doctor who reported suspected abuse can be sued
A dispute over whether doctors who report suspected child abuse are protected under Indiana statute will come before the state’s high court this week — one of three oral arguments the court will hear Thursday.
Judge sides with Simon, bars Starbucks from closing Teavana stores
An Indianapolis judge granted Simon Property Group Inc. a significant victory in its bid to stop Starbucks Corp. from closing 77 Teavana stores in Simon malls across the country.
ICLEO program taking applications for 2018
The Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO) program is taking applications from underrepresented individuals interested in pursuing a law degree and career as a lawyer.