Indiana Lawyer wins awards for government, feature, minority issues reporting
The Indiana Lawyer took home three awards Friday in the 2017 Best in Indiana contest hosted by the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Indiana Trial Courts
Articles
Man charged with shooting deputy hears death penalty charge
A man charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Boone County sheriff’s deputy heard a death penalty charge read to him Friday. Anthony Baumgardt of Lebanon is accused in the March 2 fatal shooting of Jacob Pickett.
COA transfers daycare negligence case to Hendricks County
A negligence case against a Hendricks County church daycare accused of causing an infant’s catastrophic brain injury must be transferred to Hendricks County after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the trial court erred in finding Marion County was a preferred venue.
Supreme Court hears insanity argument in shooting death of pastor
The May 2012 shooting of the Bethel Community Church pastor left the Southport community shaken. Admitted killer Lori Barcroft was twice found guilty but mentally ill in the shooting death of Jaman Iseminger, but as it stands now, she is not guilty by reason of insanity after a second Indiana Court of Appeals reversal.
Lake County courts to switch to online filing system in May
Court officials in northwestern Indiana’s Lake County plan to switch next month to an online filing system that’s already used by nearly three-quarters of Indiana’s counties.
Supreme Court CAO Willis resigns
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Administrative Officer Mary Willis has resigned from her position and is no longer working for the Supreme Court, the court announced Thursday. Jane Seigel, current and soon-to-retire executive director of the Indiana Office of Court Services, will serve as interim CAO.
Pro bono push: State, federal court see upturns in volunteering attorneys
While the need among unrepresented litigants continues to grow, state and federal courts in Indiana say recent efforts to encourage more pro bono service among attorneys are showing results.
Trailblazing Judge Patricia Gifford leaves strong legacy
Retired Marion Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford, the sixth woman to sit as a trial judge in the state of Indiana and one of the first women in the country to be assigned to prosecute only sex offense cases, died April 8 in Fort Meyers Beach, Florida. She was 79.
Justices won’t hear commercial court constitutionality challenge
The Indiana Supreme Court on Friday rejected an appeal that challenged the constitutionality of the state’s commercial court dockets in a case that permitted enforcement of a noncompete agreement against a glass company worker.
Judge strikes down Hamilton County sign restrictions
A judge in Noblesville struck down Hamilton County’s sign ordinance and said that the restrictions created a chilling effect on free speech. A county official said it’s unlikely the county will appeal.
Former LaPorte mail carrier charged with not delivering mail
A former LaPorte mail carrier has been accused of paying someone to dispose of 11,000 pieces of mail and hiding another 6,000 in his home.
COA: Gun admissible under inevitable discovery rule
A gun was admissible as evidence in a battery trial despite its location through an unwarranted search because it inevitably would have been discovered, despite any Fourth Amendment violation, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
COA rejects missing witnesses argument in murder appeal
A man convicted in a Marion County drug-related murder has lost his appeal of his conviction after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the trial judge was not required to admonish the jury about the absence of two witnesses without a request from the parties.
USA Gymnastics sues insurance carriers amid Nassar lawsuits
USA Gymnastics is suing its insurance carriers, alleging that they haven’t been fully reimbursed for defense costs incurred in lawsuits filed by victims of disgraced former sports doctor Larry Nassar.
COA orders withdrawal of guilty plea made without counsel
The Franklin Circuit Court must withdraw a first-time felon’s pleas to two drug counts after erroneously finding the man knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived his right to counsel, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
40 apply to fill 3 pending Marion County judge vacancies
Forty Indianapolis attorneys and judicial officers have submitted their names for consideration to fill three upcoming vacancies in the Marion County courts. The field will be narrowed to nine, from which Gov. Eric Holcomb will select new judges to succeed three retiring judges.
Vigo school district sues to recover money from scheme
A western Indiana school district has filed a lawsuit to recover the roughly $100,000 it lost in a multi-year kickback scheme.
Man gets 50 years in slaying of Terre Haute radio personality
A man who prosecutors say planned a burglary that led to the 2016 beating death of Terre Haute radio personality Matt Luecking has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. Donald Featherstone on Wednesday was the final defendant in the murder case to learn his punishment.
Ex-Ball State instructor convicted of child porn charges
A former Ball State University math instructor has been convicted of child pornography and other charges stemming from his alleged use of a campus computer to access images of nude children.
Security boosted at Muncie City Court
Muncie is getting increased security at its city court. City Council members voted Monday to earmark funds for an X-ray scanner, walk-through scanner and a security wand for the court. When in session, city court in Muncie takes place in the auditorium where City Council also meets.