Judge denies inmate request for release over COVID-19 risk
An inmate facing drug and weapons charges who claims he is at a higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus has been denied his request to be released to home detention for his health.
Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt
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Federal prisoner wins habeas relief for miscalculated sentence
A prisoner challenging the calculation of his federal sentence was granted habeas corpus relief Wednesday after a district court judge found his sentences were miscalculated.
Indiana must recognize both spouses in female same-sex marriages as parents
A federal court issued an order Tuesday requiring Indiana to include non-birth mothers’ names on their children’s birth certificates, marking a milestone in a long legal battle.
Judge Walton Pratt honored as Howard University distinguished alumna
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana this week was recognized as a distinguished graduate of her alma mater, Howard University, the district court announced Monday.
Trucker awarded nearly $900K after Lawrenceburg post office fall
The United States government has been ordered to pay nearly $900,000 to a disabled truck driver who suffered brain and spinal injuries after a fall at an Indiana post office.
Court overturns guilty plea for Jared Fogle friend, associate
The Southern Indiana District Court tossed the guilty plea and 27-year sentence of Russell Taylor, friend and employee of former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle, finding Taylor’s attorney advised him to plead guilty to charges he did not commit.
Indiana ordered to pay $182K in abortion case attorney fees
The state of Indiana is on the hook for more than $182,000 in attorney fees and costs related to a long-fought legal battle over a controversial abortion law that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Lilly wins another patent infringement case over cancer drug Alimta
Eli Lilly and Co. has won another patent-infringement lawsuit against a competitor who was preparing to launch an alternative form of the chemotherapy drug Alimta prior to its patent expiration in May 2022.
7th Circuit affirms Indiana man’s conviction, sentence in child porn case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a prison sentence and denial of a man’s motion to suppress stemming from his destruction of evidence and child-pornography related convictions, rejecting his argument that he was less likely to reoffend because he was white, among others.
Rolls-Royce embroiled in lawsuit over military contract
Indianapolis-based Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., which has spent nearly $50 million developing technology for new laser weaponry over the past decade, says a dispute with a fellow military contractor now threatens that investment.
Jasper homebuilder sued in copyright case wins $518K in attorney fees
A Jasper homebuilder that was sued by a company that has sued more than 100 defendants, including dozens of Indiana homebuilders, has been awarded more than $518,000 in attorney fees after a judge previously cleared the Jasper company of home design copyright infringement.
Federal judge denies motion to dismiss suit against Jackson Co. nativity scene
A southern Indiana woman accusing her local government of endorsing Christianity has cleared the first hurdle of a motion to dismiss her claim that a nativity scene placed on the Jackson County Courthouse’s front lawn violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
Attorney ordered to pay nonprofit $76K in fees after losing copyright case
An Indiana-based nonprofit that works to reduce instances of sexual assault has been awarded more than $76,000 in fees and costs as the prevailing party in a copyright case brought by a Hoosier attorney known for copyright litigation.
Web Exclusive: ILS files labor-trafficking suit for migrant workers
A recently filed complaint on behalf of several foreign nationals who have traveled to the United States for work has Indiana Legal Services Migrant Farmworker Law Center attorney Kristin Hoffman excited.
Man’s failure to wear hardhat didn’t cause tree cutting injury, 7th Circuit rules
A man who was nearly killed in a tree cutting accident successfully appealed his negligence claims to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found error with the admission of evidence that he was not wearing certain safety equipment at the time of the incident.
7th Circuit: No due process violations against rejected billboard company
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the denial of a digital billboard company’s motion for preliminary injunction against the City of Westfield, finding its due process rights were not violated when the city ordered construction on a billboard to stop.
Man sentenced for bomb near Madison judge’s house
A southern Indiana man charged with detonating pipe bombs near a police station and outside a judge’s home has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.
Web Exclusive: Federal judiciary tightens sex harassment rules
The way the federal court system addresses sexual harassment complaints should be clearer and fairer moving forward now that the federal judiciary has made clarifying amendments to its workplace conduct rules.
7th Circuit reverses unwarranted gun sentence enhancement
The fact that drugs and guns were in the same place at the same time wasn’t enough to prove a man should have received a sentence enhancement for his convictions, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, finding no connection between his felony cocaine possession and firearms.
Judgment awarded to Southport, police officials in legal feud with city councilwoman
The curtains have closed, at least for now, on a longstanding political battle between Southport law enforcement, a city council member and her ex-boyfriend now that a district court has awarded judgment in favor of the city, its police chief and a former detective on their motions for summary judgment on the council members remaining claims.