Senator seeks stiffer punishment for decapitations
The chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee says Indiana needs stronger penalties for decapitation.
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Judges affirm DOE can counterclaim for repayment of student loans
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court that the U.S. Department of Education’s counterclaim for loan repayment, filed in a man’s lawsuit seeking to not have to repay his student loans, is not barred.
Man charged with stalking Indiana legislator
A man running as an independent for an Indiana House seat faces charges that he stalked the district's current representative.
Texas prosecutor: Indiana suspect’s history unknown
Texas prosecutors may not have offered a suspected serial killer such a lenient prison sentence in a 2009 sexual assault case had they known about his conviction on a similar charge in Indiana five years earlier, a district attorney's spokesman said Monday.
Indiana Legal Services still planning to hire new executive director by year’s end
Still set on hiring a new executive director by the end of the year, Indiana Legal Services Inc. has narrowed it search to six candidates.
Acquitted ex-Ind. trooper sues police, prosecutors
A former Indiana State Police trooper acquitted in the slayings of his wife and two children has sued prosecutors, investigators and others for false imprisonment and other counts.
Indiana rejects fired DCS workers’ appeals
A state agency has rejected the appeals of two former Indiana child-welfare workers fired following the death of a paralyzed young woman.
AG’s office: Same-sex marriage fight cost state about $7,000
Responding to requests from Indiana Democrats, the Office of Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller on Friday afternoon released records arguing the state’s defense of statutes banning same-sex marriage cost the state about $7,000.
Wabash alumnus calls for reasoned and thoughtful political speech
While the supporters of the Citizens United decision claim greater spending can energize the public to participate in the political process, First Amendment attorney David Kendall maintains the result has actually been less-thoughtful political speech and an influx of Congressional members who are more concerned with fundraising than setting policy.
Legislative committee recommends making annexations more difficult
The legislative committee examining Indiana’s annexation laws underscored how complex and difficult the issue is when committee members looked at the laws Wednesday. The members took a third of the time allotted for the meeting to decide that a remonstrance should succeed if a simple majority of property owners oppose a municipality’s effort to incorporate their land.
Zoeller details casino millions funneled to E. Chicago pols
A former Indiana Democratic Party chairman and a longtime Lake County political activist enriched themselves with millions of dollars in casino revenue, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced Wednesday, closing the book on long-running litigation that resulted in a $154,042 settlement payment to the city of East Chicago.
Indiana responds to convicted ex-officer’s appeal
Indiana has responded to a former Indianapolis police officer's appeal of his convictions in a fatal drunken driving crash.
Judges participate in public forum asking ‘Is Indianapolis the next Ferguson?’
A public forum in Indianapolis between law enforcement and the community meant to discuss ways the Circle City could avoid exploding like Ferguson, Missouri, instead highlighted the distrust local residents have of police officers.
St. Joseph County gets $399,000 grant to fight elder abuse
St. Joseph County will receive a $399,000 Department of Justice grant for training and services designed to combat violence against elderly and vulnerable populations.
Public-private partnerships’ popularity peaking
In an era of tight lending for construction, public-private partnerships are a solution to get desired projects funded and under way. Attorneys who represent parties in such deals say nuanced negotiations hold the key for deals with a shared vision but sometimes competing interests.
When municipal growth clashes with property owners, the result is annexation headaches
A 644-acre swath of rural Hancock County land is at the heart of a contentious annexation battle that illustrates what municipalities say is the need to get control of property before development happens. The case also brings to light what may be a shift in the judiciary’s attitude toward remonstrators.
Lawmakers in no rush to fix Marion County’s judicial selection process
Marion County’s unique power-sharing judicial-election system won’t be fixed anytime soon, even though a federal judge has ruled the four-decade-old system is unconstitutional.
Attorneys debate impact of reality crime TV shows on the judicial process
The reality television show “Cold Justice” linked Earl Taylor to the 1975 murder of his first wife, Kathy Taylor. Dennis Majewski, Earl Taylor's attorney, said the TV program carried by the TNT cable network, and a follow-up newspaper article that told viewers the episode was available on YouTube, led him to doubt he could find an untainted jury in Vigo County.
Pain clinic head faces prescription investigation
State officials want the medical license suspended for a doctor who runs a string of Indiana clinics over his prescribing of pain medications.
Indiana panel not making ethics suggestions
A state legislative panel isn't making any recommendations on ethics rule changes that the General Assembly is expected to consider during its upcoming session.