Articles

Elkhart inmate files wrongful conviction petition claiming Elkhart Police coerced his statement

Nearly 13 years after he was found guilty of a murder he claims he did not commit and following a subsequent series of failed attempts at appellate and post-conviction relief, a developmentally disabled man has petitioned the Elkhart Circuit Court to overturn his conviction on the basis of new evidence he says proves his confession was coerced and his counsel was ineffective. Andrew Royer filed a petition to vacate the judgment against him on Wednesday.

Read More

Indiana Court Decisions — March 15-28, 2018

7th Circuit Court of Appeals March 21 Civil Plenary — Establishment Clause Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Concord Community Schools 17-1591, 17-1683 An Elkhart high school’s traditional “Christmas Spectacular” production that was canceled by a northern Indiana federal court because of its overt religiosity, then passed muster when Christian elements no longer took a leading […]

Read More

Man convicted in beating death of ex-Goshen councilman

A man charged with murder in the beating death of a former Goshen city councilman has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. A jury on Thursday night returned the verdict against 22-year-old Cody Garman of Elkhart in the killing of 66-year-old David Swartley.

Read More

Despite ‘role of Grinch,’ 7th Circuit won’t stop Christmas show

An Elkhart high school’s traditional “Christmas Spectacular” production that was canceled by a northern Indiana federal court because of its overt religiosity, then passed muster when Christian elements no longer took a leading role in a revival, won the reluctant blessing of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Read More

Hendricks Regional, Hall Render face $50M lawsuit over failed deal

A lawsuit against Hendricks Regional Health and an Indianapolis law firm representing the hospital group alleges they used “malicious, oppressive, willful, wanton, and/or reckless conduct,” conspiring to squelch a competitor’s deal to operate 23 Indiana care facilities after Hendricks’ contract was terminated.

Read More
threats-450bp.jpg

School threats can lead to severe consequences for juveniles’ impulses

A sampling of recent incidents includes a 12-year-old boy arrested for writing a threat against his classmates at Greenfield Intermediate School; a teenage girl at Austin High School arrested and charged with juvenile delinquency/intimidation for making threats to “harm others”; and a 17-year-old boy arrested and charged with felony intimidation for writing a threat on a bathroom stall at F.J. Reitz High School in Evansville.

Read More

Appellate court orders dismissal of widow’s tort claims

A widow who sued her husband’s employer for various breach and fraud allegations will not be able to continue her case after the Indiana Court of Appeals instructed the trial court to dismiss her claims on remand for failure to comply with the Indiana Tort Claims Act.

Read More

‘So it goes:’ conflicted COA affirms barring estate’s med-mal claim

The estate of a woman who died after she was treated by emergency medical technicians cannot sue the EMTs, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Wednesday. But one judge who joined the decision wrote he was “wholly dissatisfied with this outcome” and believes the decision will encourage “legal gamesmanship” by medical malpractice defendants.

Read More