Articles

Court: It’s risky to take justice into your own hands

Affirming an award of treble damages and remanding for appellate attorney fees, the Indiana Court of Appeals warned in a criminal conversion case Thursday that self-help remedies are perilous and potentially expensive, and it’s best to not take justice into your own hands.

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Opinions Dec. 10, 2015

Indiana Court of Appeals
Ronald L. Eckelbarger v. State of Indiana
90A02-1503-CR-188
Criminal. Affirms convictions of three counts of Class B felony dealing in methamphetamine and one count of Class D felony possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. Eckelbarger’s convictions do not violate double jeopardy, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by ordering consecutive sentences, and his 32-year sentence is not inappropriate. Judge Riley dissents in part.

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New Albany man challenges death sentence in 2012 murder

An attorney for a southern Indiana man convicted of killing three women argued Thursday that his death sentence in one of the slayings should be thrown out because the judge didn't sufficiently consider the importance of his confession.

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Judge rejects Texas’ latest attempt to block Syrian refugees

A federal judge Wednesday knocked Texas for offering "largely speculative hearsay" about extremists possibly infiltrating Syrian refugees seeking to resettle in the state, rejecting another attempt by Republican leaders to keep out families fleeing the war-torn country.

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Opinions Dec. 9, 2015

Indiana Court of Appeals
Chuck W. Adams, Charles E. Howard, et al. v. ArvinMeritor, Inc., et al.
49A02-1406-PL-465
Civil plenary. Reverses the grant of ArvinMeritor and state defendants’ Trial Rule 12(B)(6) motions to dismiss the plaintiffs’ claim for unpaid wages because Adams, a Department of Correction inmate, has a private right of action to pursue his wage claim. Affirms summary judgment to the defendants on his personal injury claim because Adams had an available administrative remedy but failed to pursue it to completion. Concludes Adams was allowed to participate in a hearing on a number of motions through the submission of documentary evidence. Judge May dissents.

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Indiana Tax Court moves to e-filing in January

Beginning Jan. 4, all three of Indiana’s appellate courts will accept electronic filing. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush signed an order Wednesday announcing the Tax Court’s addition to the e-filing project.

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COA split over inmate’s ability to sue for unpaid wages

The Indiana Court of Appeals was divided Wednesday over whether an inmate who worked for a private company that contracted with the Department of Correction to employ offenders was allowed under Indiana statute to make a claim for unpaid wages.

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Opinions Dec. 8, 2015

Indiana Supreme Court
Stacy Knighten v. East Chicago Housing Authority, Individually and d/b/a West Calumet Complex, Davis Security Service, LLC, and Donnell Caldwell

45S04-1512-CT-686
Civil tort. Reverses summary judgment in favor of Davis Security on Knighten’s complaint under the theory of respondeat superior. There is conflicting evidence as to the scope and extent of Caldwell’s duties and responsibilities as an employee of Davis Security.

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