Indiana Court of Appeals
Jennings Daugherty v. State of Indiana
89A05-1103-CR-131
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class B felony possession of cocaine and Class D felony maintaining a common nuisance. Daugherty’s arguments on appeal are insufficient to demonstrate reversible error. Affirms the admission of the state’s evidence.
The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Christopher Bryant v. State of Indiana Tuesday at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis.
While she said she doubts the plaintiffs can win their case, U.S. Judge Sarah Evans Barker is allowing limited class certification in a lawsuit challenging the state’s $5 million damage liability cap. Plaintiffs incurred injuries in the Indiana State Fair stage collapse Aug. 13.
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There will be no IL daily on Nov. 24 or 25. IBJ Media is closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Today’s opinions:
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Fort Wayne Telsat Inc. v. JAS Partners, LTD.
11-2112
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division, Judge Theresa L. Springmann.
Civil. Affirms District Court’s determination that the trustee had acted reasonably in settling the debtor’s claim against Indiana University for $100,000.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Commitment of T.S. v. Logansport State Hospital
79A02-1101-MH-86
Mental health. Affirms trial court’s decision denying T.S.’s request to be removed from the Sexual Responsibility Program at Logansport State Hospital, holding that the state presented testimony from experts that T.S. was still in need of treatment offered by the program.
Gordon B. Dempsey and Gordon B. Dempsey, PC v. Todd H. Belanger
49A04-1104-CT-201
Civil tort. Affirms trial court’s denial of Dempsey’s motion to reinstate his complaint against attorney Todd H. Belanger. Holds that appellate attorney fees are warranted and remands for the limited purpose of determining Belanger’s appellate attorney fees.
Ronnie Sanders v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A05-1105-CR-241
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B misdemeanor battery.
L.E. v. Review Board of the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development and F.W.C.S. (NFP)
93A02-1104-EX-445
Miscellaneous. Remands to Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Review Board to correct calculation error in reduction of L.E.’s unemployment benefits.
Kay Kim and Charles Chuang v. Village at Eagle Creek Homeowners Association c/o Community Association Services of Indiana; and Chubb Custom Insurance Co. (NFP)
49A02-1106-CT-479
Civil tort. Affirms trial court’s summary judgment in favor of appellee-defendant and affirms trial court’s dismissal of appellants’ complaint against Chubb Custom Insurance.
Bryce D. Pope v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A05-1103-PC-153
Post conviction. Affirms denial of petition for post-conviction relief.
Taimeka Garnett v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A04-1104-CR-192
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B misdemeanor public intoxication.
David Gardner v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A04-1104-CR-198
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class A misdemeanor domestic battery.
Christina Francis v. City of Indianapolis (NFP)
49A02-1104-OV-303
Local ordinance. Affirms trial court’s judgment finding Francis in violation of Indianapolis-Marion County Ordinance No. 531-102 for having a dog at large.
Robert and Heather Taylor v. Charles B. Caldwell (NFP)
03A04-1105-CT-254
Civil tort. Affirms trial court’s decision denying damages for Heather Taylor’s alleged permanent injuries.
In the Matter of J.M.R., Child in Need of Services, M.R. v. Indiana Dept. of Child Services (NFP)
02A03-1105-JV-273
Juvenile. Affirms juvenile court’s finding that J.M.R. is a child in need of services.
George Kotsopoulos v. Peters Broadcast Engineering, Inc. (NFP)
02A03-1012-PL-675
Civil plenary. Affirms trial court’s denial of Kotsopoulos’ motion to correct error and judgment in favor of Peters Broadcast Engineering (PBE). Per PBE’s concession that Kotsopoulos is not individually liable, remands to the court to amend judgment by removing his individual liability for the judgment.
The Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions by IL deadline.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Monica Del Carmen Gonzalez-Servin, et. al. v. Fort Motor Company, et. al.
11-1665
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
Civil. In a consolidated appeal, the court affirmed decisions by District Courts in Indiana and Illinois granting forum non conveniens in multidistrict litigation. In the Indiana case, the court held that Judge Sarah Evans Barker was acting within her discretion in deciding that the courts of Mexico would be better suited to adjudication of a lawsuit by Mexican citizens arising from the death of another Mexican citizen in an accident in Mexico.
Warning appellate lawyers not to ignore precedent, a 7th Circuit Court of Appeals decision today issues a short but clear message to not use “ostrich-like” tactics when briefing and arguing cases.
The Indiana Court of Appeals issued three opinions Wednesday that dissect the grammar of a state statute in reversing a trial court’s decision regarding sentence enhancements.
Addressing a question for the first time about prison inmate complaints, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held that a prisoner's participation in internal affairs investigations isn’t an alternative for the administrative process an inmate must follow in filing a grievance.
Underground aquifers are “watercourses” as defined by state law and as a result the Indiana Supreme Court says community officials have the ability to reasonably regulate how that water is taken out and used by other local governments.
Indiana’s courts will be closed Thursday in honor of Thanksgiving. However, some court offices will be available to handle emergencies on Friday.
The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled a trial court erred in calculating credit for time served but found the record was insufficient to prove that additional credit time should be awarded for the defendant’s participation in a drug-treatment program.
St. Joseph Circuit Court Judge Michael Gotsch is seeking applicants for the position of magistrate judge.
The Indiana Tax Court has rejected an estate’s attempt to sidestep trial rules by allowing verified tax returns to stand in for affidavits in determining a property’s fair market value.
Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis will hold its semi-annual Public Policy Mediation within State Government course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 2-6, 2012.
The following Indiana Tax Court opinions were posted after IL deadline Monday:
Gordon A. Etzler v. Indiana Dept. of State Revenue
45T10-1105-TA-38
Tax. Dismisses appeal on the grounds that the Tax Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, holding that Etzler’s complaint is not about Indiana’s tax laws, but rather about a collection matter arising from a final judgment against Dodson in Marshall Circuit Court.
Today’s opinions:
7th Circuit Court of Appeals had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Supreme Court
Lisa Gray v. State of Indiana
82S01-1106-CR-328
Criminal. Reinstates trial court’s guilty verdict on Gray’s charge of Class A misdemeanor possession of marijuana, rejecting the argument that insufficient evidence existed to support her conviction. Holds that the word of two police officers held more influence with the trial court than the testimony of Gray’s son, whom Gray appeared to be coaching during trial about how to answer questions.
Indiana Court of Appeals
DeGood Dimensional Concepts, Inc. v. Review Board of the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development (NFP)
93A02-1104-EX-390
Miscellaneous. Affirms Indiana Department of Workforce Development Review Board’s finding that substantial evidence exists to support the argument that DeGood Dimensional Concepts failed to prove that employee John Wilder violated a reasonable and uniformly enforced attendance rule. Reverses board and administrative law judge’s conclusion that Wilder would not have been discharged except for the existence of all the reasons stated by the employer. Remands for consideration of those reasons and for additional findings as to whether Wilder was discharged for just cause.
Thormonn Lawrence v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A03-1104-CR-152
Criminal. Affirms conviction for Class A misdemeanor battery and Class D felony domestic battery.
Steven R. Farrell v. State of Indiana (NFP)
04A03-1101-CR-21
Criminal. Affirms conviction of murder and sentence for murder and Class B felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
Katina D. Logan v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A04-1104-CR-186
Criminal. Affirms sentences for Class D felony neglect of a dependent and associated charges.
Durell Rhymes v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1104-CR-371
Criminal. Affirms conviction for Class D felony theft.
Timothy Wright v. State of Indiana (NFP)
18A02-1005-CR-490
Criminal. Affirms trial court’s denial of motion to correct erroneous sentence.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Supreme Court
Lisa Gray v. State of Indiana
82S01-1106-CR-328
Criminal. Reinstates trial court’s guilty verdict on Gray’s charge of Class A misdemeanor possession of marijuana, rejecting the argument that insufficient evidence existed to support her conviction. Holds that the word of two police officers held more influence with the trial court than the testimony of Gray’s son, whom Gray appeared to be coaching during trial about how to answer questions.
The Indiana Supreme Court has granted transfer in two cases, one examining medical malpractice liability evidence for damages and another examining how Marion County’s mass tort litigation rules impact the overall goal of orderly and speedy justice in an asbestos case.