The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s 8th annual Race Away From Domestic Violence event is Aug. 13 in Indianapolis. Proceeds from the 5k run/walk/wheelchair roll benefit the ICADV, a nonprofit working to ending domestic violence.
The ex-East Chicago mayor hit with a $108 million racketeering judgment because of public corruption wants a federal bankruptcy court to dismiss a civil complaint against him that questions whether the judgment is dischargeable under bankruptcy code.
A former judge in Kosciusko County died Wednesday. Hon. C. Robert “Bob” Burner was 81.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a man’s argument that his past conviction of vehicular flight isn’t a crime of violence, citing a recent decision by the United States Supreme Court on that matter.
A federal judge has approved a proposed settlement agreement in a class-action lawsuit against the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration alleging that an agency policy that doesn’t allow certain Medicaid waiver enrollees to apply for services other than what’s been approved by their case manager is in violation of federal Medicaid law.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Continental Casualty Co. v. Sycamore Springs Homeowners Association Inc.
10-3261
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Judge Larry McKinney.
Civil. Affirms District Court’s conclusion that the homeowners association had not suffered “property damage” as defined in Continental Casualty’s policy insuring the builder. The language of the association’s own complaint in state court and the absence of any effort to apportion the $335,000 entitles Continental to judgment.
Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Continental Casualty Co. v. Sycamore Springs Homeowners Association Inc.
10-3261
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Judge Larry McKinney.
Civil. Affirms District Court’s conclusion that the homeowners association had not suffered “property damage” as defined in Continental Casualty’s policy insuring the builder. The language of the association’s own complaint in state court and the absence of any effort to apportion the $335,000 entitles Continental to judgment.
The Hon. Robert H. Staton, who was an Indiana appeals court judge for nearly 30 years, died July 18. He was 86.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
L.V. and Yvette Crawford v. Countrywide Home Loans Inc. d/b/a America’s Wholesale Lender, et al.
10-3135
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division, Chief Judge Philip Simon.
Civil. Affirms summary judgment for Countrywide Home Loans in the Crawfords' suit following their default on their mortgage, eviction from the home, and sale of the home in a sheriff’s sale. The Crawfords did not meet their burden to come forward with specific facts showing that there were genuine issues for trial. Vacates the District Court’s order of Aug. 10, 2010, and remands for the limited purpose of permitting the District Court to enter a new order specifying which aspects of the Crawfords’ complaint were dismissed on jurisdictional grounds and remanding those aspects to the state court from which the case was removed.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Jacqueline Wisner, M.D., and the South Bend Clinic, L.L.P. v. Archie L. Laney
71A03-1007-CT-382
Civil tort. Affirms in part and reverses in part in a negligence action. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that Laney’s attorney’s actions did not deprive the defendants of a fair trial or in concluding that the trial court instructions were sufficient to dispel any confusion that may have been caused by Laney’s counsel’s final argument. The trial court didn’t err in finding that no impropriety occurred when a witness spoke to other witnesses before trial. Reverses order denying Laney prejudgment interest. Remands for further proceedings.
James Bellamy v. State of Indiana
49A02-1011-CR-1214
Criminal. Affirms finding Bellamy was in direct criminal contempt. Despite his status as a layperson, the trial court did not err in finding he was in direct contempt of the trial court for showing up late to court after being warned. Any challenge to the error relating to the trial court’s failure to allow him to explain his tardiness was waived.
Term. of Parent-Child Rel. of D.B., et al.; W.B. v. IDCS (NFP)
28A05-1101-JT-22
Juvenile. Affirms involuntary termination of parental rights.
Antonio Jenkins v. State of Indiana (NFP)
68A01-1008-CR-417
Criminal. Grants rehearing to explain more fully why Jenkins waived the issue of the admissibility of certain evidence under Indiana Rules of Evidence Rule 616.
Michael J. Earnest v. State of Indiana (NFP)
50A03-1011-CR-602
Criminal. Affirms conviction of and sentence for one count of Class A felony child molesting, reverses second conviction of Class A felony child molesting, and remands for entry of judgment of conviction of one count of incest as a Class B felony and sentencing on that offense.
Marvin M. Willis v. State of Indiana (NFP)
82A05-1012-CR-807
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class D felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Townsquare Media Inc., f/k/a Regent Communications Inc. v. Alan R. Brill, et al.
10-3017, 10-3018
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, Chief Judge Richard Young.
Civil. The decision of the bankruptcy court to remand a suit to state court – which had been removed to the bankruptcy court after being filed in state court – is unreviewable and Regent’s appeal must be dismissed.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals looked at the issues of removal and remand in the context of bankruptcy in a case July 21 and found the bankruptcy court’s decision to remand a case to state court is unreviewable.
Four of the five Indiana Supreme Court justices decided that the man found asleep in the waiting room of a dental office – who had an empty handgun on him – should only be sentenced to 20 years for the crime instead of 40 years.
Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss will be given the Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award at the American Bar Association’s annual meeting in August.
A Fort Wayne man who claims he’s being prevented from becoming an Indiana attorney because of his religious beliefs is asking the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to decide whether a lower federal court properly dismissed his case.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has appointed Joseph Hoage as Indiana public access counselor. He replaces Andrew Kossack, who recently resigned to take a position with the Indiana Department of Education.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Wellpoint, Inc., et al. v. National Union Fire Ins., Co., et al.
49A05-1011-PL-670
Civil plenary. Reverses summary judgment for Twin City Fire Insurance Co. in Anthem’s action seeking defense and indemnification from its reinsurers. None of the subject policy provisions operate to exclude coverage in the manner Twin City proposes. Remands for further proceedings.
Paternity of A.C.; C.C. v. B.M. (NFP)
13A04-1009-DR-608
Domestic relation. Reverses grant of the petition of stepfather B.M. for custody of A.C. Remands for further proceedings.
R.W. v. Review Board (NFP)
93A02-1012-EX-1399
Agency action. Affirms determination that R.W. was fired for just cause.
Thomas West v. State of Indiana (NFP)
34A02-1102-CR-111
Criminal. Affirms sentence following guilty plea to Class B felony burglary.
Janet Barkes Trust, et al. v. Monica Stuckwisch, et al. (NFP)
36A01-1011-PL-612
Civil plenary. Reverses summary judgment for real estate agent Stuckwisch in a fraud action and remands for further proceedings.
James H. Higgason, III v. State of Indiana (NFP)
45A03-1011-CR-577
Criminal. Affirms denial of motion for jail credit time.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Marianne Jackson v. Thomas Trancik, M.D.
29A02-1012-CC-1391
Civil collections. Reverses summary judgment to Dr. Trancik on his lawsuit to collect on a medical bill. The trial court abused its discretion in striking the affidavit of an expert witness designated by Jackson and that affidavit establishes an issue of material fact as to the amount she owes. Remand for further proceedings.
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed summary judgment for a doctor in his attempt to collect an unpaid medical bill, finding the trial court erred when it struck the affidavit of an expert witness designated by the defendant.
Examining the issue of whether a defendant’s mental disease brought on by years of drinking could support an insanity defense, the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded the man’s psychosis was a mental defect under Indiana Code and he should have been found not guilty by reason of insanity.