Hobart man charged with murder in death of father, 80
A northwestern Indiana man is accused of killing his 80-year-old father, who was found mortally wounded in his bathtub.
Lake County
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Interview schedule set for Lake Superior judgeship
Interviews with 19 applicants for the Lake Superior Court opening left by the resignation of Judge Jesse M. Villalpando are scheduled to take place next month over a two-day period.
19 to be interviewed for Lake Superior judgeship
The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission will begin conducting interviews to fill an upcoming vacancy in the Lake Superior Court left by Judge Jesse M. Villalpando, following his decision to not seek retention earlier this year.
Lake County Sheriff’s Department can’t account for missing $7,600
A northwestern Indiana sheriff’s department says it can’t account for more than $7,600 missing from one of its divisions. Lake County Police Chief William said the county Sheriff’s Department can’t account for the money that an audit by the State Board of Accounts found missing from its Civil Division last year.
Jury acquits Hammond man accused of killing woman’s dogs
A jury has acquitted a northwestern Indiana man who authorities say stole two dogs that belonged to a woman he formerly dated and killed them. A jury on Wednesday cleared 24-year-old Anthony Priestas of two felony counts of killing a domestic animal.
Summary judgment for former sheriff reversed after sexual assault allegations against deputy
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned summary judgment for a former Lake County sheriff sued after a local woman alleged a sheriff’s deputy sexually assaulted her while in her home, with the court finding the woman’s respondeat superior claim against the sheriff can proceed.
Supreme Court accepts resignation, imposes suspension
The Indiana Supreme Court has accepted the resignation of a Hoosier attorney who faced multiple felony drunken-driving counts. Justices also ordered reciprocal discipline for another lawyer who was removed from the practice of law by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Woman who said boyfriend killed self now charged with murder
A Merrillville woman who told police she “watched the love of her life commit suicide” now faces a murder charge alleging that she killed her boyfriend and staged his death as a suicide.
Gary man accused of harboring double-shooting suspect
A Gary man is accused of harboring a suspect in a gang-related shooting that wounded a man and his 9-year-old son outside a store. Prosecutors allege Tyrone L. Jackson, Jr., allowed Alex C. Hughes to hide in his Gary house for more than a week, despite knowing Hughes was wanted for his role in the Sept. 30 shooting.
COA: Lawyer’s $3.4M fee wrongly applied in child support
A trial court miscalculated the impact of a Merrillville lawyer’s $3.4 million legal fee in a personal injury case on his child support obligation, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
Lake County paying $185K to settle sexual harassment lawsuit
Lake County has agreed to pay $185,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the northwestern Indiana county’s recorder. Taxpayers will finance the payment to Estela Montalvo, the former part-time recorder’s office employee who sued recorder Michael B. Brown and the county in federal court last year, alleging sexual harassment.
Lake County JNC seeks applicants to succeed judge not seeking retention
The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill an upcoming vacancy in the Lake Superior Court. Applications will be accepted till Nov. 5 to replace outgoing Judge Jesse M. Villalpando.
COA: Judgment affirmed in eminent domain action
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment to a town in an eminent domain action when it found the land was neither real property occupied by an owner nor agricultural land, so the previous owners were not entitled to receive enhanced compensation.
E-filing now mandatory in Warrick County; 4 more courts remain
E-filing is now mandatory in Warrick County, with just four more counties remaining to implement the online filing system.
Ex-superintendent of Gary schools faces misconduct charges
The former Gary Community Schools superintendent has been charged with double-billing the district for about $1,200 in expenses. Lake County prosecutors filed felony theft and official misconduct charges on Friday against Cheryl Pruitt, who resigned as superintendent in February after a state-appointed emergency manager took over the district as it faced more than $100 million in debt.
New COA judge Tavitas honored as ‘true public servant’ at robing ceremony
There are many adjectives friends and colleagues used to describe Elizabeth Tavitas, the newest Indiana Court of Appeals judge, when they gathered to celebrate her ceremonial robing on Monday. But as each speaker described their unique experiences with Tavitas, there was a common theme running through each set of remarks: service.
Judge pro tem appointed to replace Lake Superior Judge Villalpando
A judge pro tempore has been appointed to perform the duties of Lake Superior Court judge Jesse M. Villalpando, whose name was recently removed from the Nov. 6 general election ballot. A Friday order announced the Lake Superior Court judge will take leave from the bench beginning today and will remain on leave for the duration of his elected term, while attorney Stephen A. Tyler will serve in his place as judge pro tem.
COA to host Tavitas robing ceremony next week
Newest Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth F. Tavitas will be ceremonially sworn into office next week when the court hosts a public robing ceremony.
Three magistrate finalists named for Lake County judgeship
Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb will select one of three magistrate judges to fill the vacancy on the Lake Superior Court created when Judge Elizabeth Tavitas was appointed to the Indiana Court of Appeals this summer. The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission late Tuesday named magistrate judges Lisa A. Berdine, Thomas P. Hallett and Nanette K. Raduenz as finalists to succeed Tavitas in Lake Superior Court 3, family division.
Lake County lawyers rank judicial candidates
Lake Superior magistrate judges Kathleen Belzeski and Nanette Raduenz are being described by the local legal community as best qualified for the vacancy in Lake Superior Court, family law division.