Arson suspected in fire that destroyed historic Sullivan building
A fire that destroyed a historic western Indiana building that formerly housed a law office may have been set, investigators say.
Criminal
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Restitution, sentence affirmed for woman who stole co-workers’ purse
A woman who stole hundreds of dollars from her co-worker’s purse did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that there was an error in ordering her to pay restitution of the full amount stolen or that the sentence of more than two years was inappropriate.
Split COA affirms attempted obstruction of justice conviction in neighbor dispute
A majority of an Indiana Court of Appeals panel has affirmed a woman’s attempted obstruction of justice conviction after she confronted a neighbor who was subpoenaed to give deposition in a criminal case involving her.
Federal prisoner wins habeas relief for miscalculated sentence
A prisoner challenging the calculation of his federal sentence was granted habeas corpus relief Wednesday after a district court judge found his sentences were miscalculated.
Felony reversed for man who possessed hash oil
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a man’s felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance after finding that his vaping cartridge containing hash oil did not violate state law under which he was charged.
COA: Striking child with cord not protected parental discipline
An Indianapolis mother convicted of felony battery after striking her son with an electrical cord failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that the charges against her could be defeated by the concept of parental privilege.
Victims’ testimony admissible in child molesting case, COA rules
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday was not convinced by a man’s argument that his decades-long sentence for child molesting was inappropriate or that victim testimony was inadmissible.
2 found fatally shot after police standoff in Fishers
Police in suburban Indianapolis say they found a man and a woman fatally shot after a lengthy standoff in which shots were fired at officers.
US Supreme Court rules states can bar insanity defense
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday that states can prevent criminal defendants from pleading insanity without violating their constitutional rights. The decision could prompt states across the country to toughen standards for defendants who wish to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
7th Circuit affirms convictions in Walmart robberies
Two men who robbed and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Indiana Walmart stores could not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday that there was insufficient evidence to support their convictions.
Elkhart considers new $500K legal bill for suit over overturned conviction
A northern Indiana city is weighing spending another $500,000 to defend itself against a lawsuit filed by a man whose attempted murder conviction was thrown out because prosecutors didn’t disclose that the state’s sole eyewitness underwent hypnosis to sharpen his memory.
Judge asked to reconsider double-murder suspect’s release
Prosecutors want a northwestern Indiana judge to reconsider his decision to release a man accused in the fatal shootings of a Gary woman and her 13-year-old son, calling him a “substantial” threat to the public.
Fort Wayne man exonerates teen co-defendant in fatal shooting
A northeastern Indiana man who pleaded guilty in an October killing told a judge before he was sentenced that a teenage co-defendant played no role in the slaying.
After controversy, juvenile justice review effort begins
In the middle of the General Assembly’s 2020 session, as youth advocates were fighting proposed legislation that would have allowed preteens to be charged as adults for certain crimes, the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana took a step toward comprehensive juvenile justice reform.
Conviction affirmed for intoxicated woman found in parked, running vehicle
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of a woman who was found intoxicated in her running but parked vehicle, finding sufficient evidence to support that she was operating the vehicle at the time law enforcement found her.
7th Circuit: Mother’s sentence, restitution order affirmed in child porn case
A Hammond woman convicted for possession of child porn will keep her enhanced sentence and restitution order after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the rulings in her case Friday.
3 Muncie officers indicted in federal excessive force cases
Three Muncie police officers have been charged in connection with the use of excessive force during arrests and attempts to cover it up.
Man gets 50 years in Indianapolis doctor’s 2017 killing
A 19-year-old man who pleaded guilty in the fatal shooting of a prominent Indianapolis doctor was sentenced to 50 years in prison after telling a judge that he “got railroaded.”
COA affirms charges brought under new cause number
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the denial of a man’s motion to dismiss charges brought against him in a new cause after the state sought to refile the case to tidy up the record, finding no abuse of discretion in the decision.
Reversal: Orange County man’s child molesting conviction improperly elevated
The Indiana Court of Appeals has ordered a man convicted of child molesting resentenced. The panel found his felony conviction was improperly elevated and cautioned the trial court regarding consideration of his uncharged allegations on remand.