Man’s 17½-year sentence upheld for dealing meth
A sentence of 17½ years for a man convicted of dealing methamphetamine has been upheld, after the Indiana Court of Appeals found he was dealing in amounts “well above the statutory requirement.”
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Bail increase for defendant not transported from jailed reversed
The Indiana Court of Appeals has determined a man is not at fault for failing to appear in court due to his incarceration for another crime. It also found the trial court abused its discretion by setting an additional bail for him without having been requested to do so.
Civil forfeiture case back before Indiana justices on SCOTUS remand
For the third time in three years, Marion resident Tyson Timbs took his case before a Supreme Court. The man whose name became noted civil forfeiture caselaw said after arguments Friday, “I feel like I stand for something now.”
Justices allow seizure, turnover of $60K in alleged drug money
The Indiana Supreme Court has upheld the seizure of $60,000 in cash believed to be drug money, finding the officer who intercepted the parcel holding the cash had probable cause to think the package was related to drug trafficking. The unanimous ruling also upholds the turnover of the cash to the federal government, though it doesn’t address whether the money will be forfeited. The Court of Appeals previously had ruled the seizure was unlawful.
Reversal: Insufficient evidence to support termination of mother’s rights
A mother’s efforts to get her life back on track and reunite with her daughter were recognized by the Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday, which reversed an order terminating the mother’s parent-child relationship for insufficient evidence.
Report: Indiana opioid prescriptions fell by 35% since 2013
A national report says opioid prescriptions in Indiana have decreased by 35.1 percent over five years. The American Medical Association Opioid Task Force 2019 Progress Report shows Indiana’s reduction in opioid prescriptions from 2013 to 2018 is two percentage points higher than the national average of 33 percent.
Evansville CNA gets probation for slipping anxiety meds into seniors’ food
A Vanderburgh County nursing aid has been sentenced to more than two years of probation after slipping anxiety medication into the food of senior citizens she was charged with caring for.
Supreme Court remands drug convictions to eliminate double jeopardy violations
The Indiana Supreme Court remanded a guilty verdict Monday solely to eliminate the remaining double jeopardy violation in a man’s two drug-related convictions. Both convictions were enhanced based on the same evidence of his possession of a single firearm.
7th Circuit: Evidence found during unlawful drug raid still admissible
Convictions were affirmed for a man whose home was illegally searched by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which uncovered 10 pounds of methamphetamine inside. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found that although the DEA should have obtained a search warrant first, the evidence was still admissible.
Police: Woman tried to hide syringes in her son’s pocket
A Muncie woman faces preliminary neglect charges for allegedly trying to hide syringes, one of them uncapped, in her son’s pocket.
Justices let stand suppression in drug case, grant transfer in 2 others
Indiana Supreme Court justices agreed to hear two cases on grant of transfer last week, denying one other involving a faulty Muncie controlled drug buy. The three cases were the only matters justices considered on petition to transfer last week.
Evansville man accused of selling fentanyl to woman who died
Authorities say a southern Indiana man has been arrested in connection with the fentanyl-based overdose death of a 22-year-old woman.
Illinois poised to be 11th state to allow recreational marijuana
Illinois is likely to become the 11th state to allow small amounts of marijuana for recreational use after the Democratic-controlled House on Friday sent a legalization plan to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The move further isolates Indiana’s criminalization of marijuana nationally and among its neighboring states.
Constructive amendment error doesn’t warrant new trial, 7th Circuit rules
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a man’s life sentence after rejecting his request to vacate and receive a new trial on his firearm possession convictions based on a constructive amendment error in his indictment.
Appeals panel upholds Muncie doctor’s convictions
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the forgery and prescription-related offenses for a Muncie doctor alleged to have overprescribed pain medication to patients by using his nurse practitioners’ names to sign the orders.
Car search after meth dealer’s arrest divides COA panel
A suspected Morgan County meth dealer who pulled his truck into his driveway as police were executing a search warrant on his property failed to overturn his conviction on appeal, but a dissenting judge found a police search of his vehicle after he was arrested failed to “honor the distinction between homes and motor vehicles for purposes of search and seizure.”
Justices: No error in admitted post-arrest, pre-Miranda silence
Indiana Supreme Court justices have affirmed a trial court’s admission of a man’s post-arrest silence before he was read his Miranda rights, finding he opened the door of evidence and that no fundamental error existed.
Indiana files opioid suit against Purdue Pharma, Sackler family
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday announced a lawsuit against several owners and directors of pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma, alleging those members of the Sackler family have played a key role in contributing to Indiana’s opioid epidemic.
COA affirms termination of parent-child relationship
A drug-addicted mother couldn’t convince the Indiana Court of Appeals to reconsider the termination of her parent-child relationship with her young daughter after the panel concluded there was sufficient evidence to prove the removal was in the child’s best interests, even if some of it was admitted in error.
Fired Hamilton County magistrate judge pleads not guilty to meth charge
A fired suburban Indianapolis magistrate judge has pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine.