Ownership fight could leave new Gary casino empty
The legal fight over ownership of a new $300 million casino in northwestern Indiana could leave it sitting unused for possibly months after construction work is completed.
Criminal
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COA upholds murder, battery convictions under previous, new double jeopardy precedent
A man convicted of murder and battery related to the same incident failed in his double jeopardy argument before the Indiana Court of Appeals, which analyzed both previous caselaw and new double-jeopardy precedent to uphold his convictions.
Feds withheld info on virus cases after Terre Haute executions
At least two journalists tested positive for coronavirus after witnessing the Trump administration’s final three federal executions, but the Bureau of Prisons knowingly withheld the diagnoses from other media witnesses and did not perform any contact tracing, The Associated Press has learned.
COA affirms PCR denial after home explosion
A Dearborn County man who detonated a homemade bomb in his own home failed to prevail on his appellate claims for post-conviction relief.
Despite human trafficking victimization, woman’s 14-year sentence upheld on appeal
Despite the trial court’s erroneous failure to consider a woman’s history as a victim of human trafficking, her 14-year sentence on felony charges is not inappropriate, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
2 more Indiana men face federal charges in Capitol riot
Two more central Indiana men face federal charges stemming from the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol building, court documents say.
17-year-old held in Indianapolis killings of 5, including pregnant woman
Indianapolis police arrested a 17-year-old boy Monday in the killings of five people, including a pregnant woman, who were shot to death inside a home in what the city’s mayor called a “devastating act of violence.”
Suspended attorney sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for tax evasion
A former Schererville personal injury and medical malpractice attorney who pleaded guilty to tax evasion has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. The attorney, who was suspended from the practice of law last year, also was ordered to make restitution of more than $1.7 million.
7th Circuit extinguishes fraudster-arsonist’s appeal
A convicted insurance fraudster whose M.O. was arson has lost his appeal of his mail fraud convictions, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting his argument that evidence of arson was improperly admitted at his fraud trial.
Ex-Boone County pediatrician convicted of molesting patients loses appeal
A former Boone County pediatrician convicted on multiple charges of sexual misconduct against his minor patients has lost his appeal of his felony convictions and his consecutive sentences.
Indiana inmate agrees to plead guilty in inmate’s killing
An inmate at a central Indiana prison has agreed to plead guilty in the fatal stabbing of another inmate, four months after he rejected the same plea agreement. The inmate has previously requested the death penalty.
Father wins PCR on two counts of child molesting
A father convicted of three felony counts of molesting his daughter has successfully secured post-conviction relief from two of those counts. A Class A felony conviction, however, will stand. The ruling will cut the southern Indiana man’s 100-year sentence in half.
Hammond man facing federal drug sentence charged in Capitol breach
A Northwest Indiana man charged with participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol could face trial in Washington on misdemeanor counts. The man had been awaiting sentencing in a separate case involving gang-related drug conspiracy charges.
Man who missed trial loses OWI appeal
A man convicted of a drunken driving charge despite not being present at his own trial has failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that his convictions should be overturned.
Trump pardons ex-strategist Steve Bannon, dozens of others
President Donald Trump pardoned former chief strategist Steve Bannon as part of a flurry of clemency action in the final hours of his White House term that benefited more than 140 people, including rap performers, ex-members of Congress and other allies of him and his family.
Court: Georgia lawyer boasted about storming Pelosi’s office
The FBI says a Georgia attorney accused of joining the attack on the U.S. Capitol riot bragged on social media that he was among the first rioters to break into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, and said she “probably would have been torn into little pieces” if they had found her there.
Trump administration carries out 13th and final execution
The Trump administration early Saturday carried out its 13th federal execution in Terre Haute since July, an unprecedented run that concluded just five days before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, an opponent of the federal death penalty.
Conspiracy conviction vacated as double jeopardy in Muncie murder
Despite there being sufficient evidence to support a man’s conspiracy and murder convictions, the conspiracy conviction must be vacated on double jeopardy grounds, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Former Whiting mayor who stole money to gamble avoids prison
A former Whiting mayor who pleaded guilty to charges that he spent about a quarter-million dollars in campaign funds to gamble and pay personal bills avoided prison on Wednesday when a federal judge ordered he be placed on two years’ probation and home detention for one year.
FBI: Suspect targeted Indiana 7th Circuit Judge Hamilton, Rep. Carson
An Alabama man arrested near the U.S. Capitol after the rioting had a truckload of weapons, including components for 11 explosive devices, guns, smoke devices and machetes, along with a note containing information about an Indiana federal appellate judge and member of Congress from Indianapolis, prosecutors wrote in court documents Tuesday.