COA rules botched burial does not entitle relatives to award
The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled that relatives of a woman whose burial went awry are not entitled to damages.
neglect
Articles
Opinions April 25, 2011 ILD
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. Marcus Curlin
10-3033
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
Criminal. Affirms District Court’s decision to deny motion to suppress, without an evidentiary hearing, stating Marcus Curlin failed to identify any disputed issues of fact that affect the outcome of the motion.
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Melissa Kay Sneed v. State of Indiana
16A01-1010-CR-544
Criminal. Affirms denial of motion to reduce bail. Affirms amount of bail, but reverses court’s decision to require cash-only payment of bail, ruling court abused its discretion. Remands for further proceedings.
Richard Sigo, Jr. v. Prudential Property and Casualty Insurance Co.
25A03-1008-PL-406
Civil plenary. Affirms trial court’s finding that the probative value of Richard Sigo’s criminal trial for arson and acquittal was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice to insurer.
Anthony Price, Jr. v. State of Indiana
79A05-1007-CR-529
Criminal. Affirms convictions of and sentences for two counts of Class A felony dealing in cocaine, and Class A felony conspiracy to commit dealing in cocaine. States that the 40-year sentence is appropriate, given Price’s past felony record.
Barry T. Owens v. State of Indiana
12A04-1008-CR-522
Criminal. Affirms sentence for two counts of Class B felony dealing in cocaine and one count of Class D felony maintaining a common nuisance, stating trial court did not abuse its discretion when it failed to hold a hearing to determine ability to reimburse the Public Defender Fund at the time of initial sentencing.
Allan B. Zukerman, et al. v. Robert L. Montgomery, et al.
49A02-1006-CC-803
Civil collection. Reverses trial court’s order granting motions to enforce a mediated settlement agreement on the basis that the settlement agreement is not sufficiently definite and certain so that the intention of the parties may be ascertained. Remands for further proceedings.
Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. v. Gloria D. Tussey (NFP)
45A03-1005-CT-234
Civil tort. Affirms award of $100,000 in damages for underinsured motorist benefits claim.
Jerry Williams v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1008-CR-916
Criminal. Vacates order of restitution and remands for determination of appropriate restitution amount.
Dametrick M. Gray v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A03-1008-CR-465
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B felony robbery.
Eric Nevels v. State of Indiana (NFP)
79A02-1006-CR-961
Criminal. Affirms convictions of and sentences for two counts of Class A felony dealing in cocaine, Class A felony conspiracy to commit dealing in cocaine, and Class D felony maintaining a common nuisance.
Kurtis Shorter v. State of Indiana (NFP)
20A03-1010-CR-551
Criminal. Affirms sentences for Class D felony resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor operating while license is suspended, and Class B misdemeanor of failure to stop after property damage accident.
Malcolm Armour v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1008-CR-879
Criminal. Reverses trial court’s denial of demand for trial setting and motion to transport defendant to Marion County Jail for purpose of trial preparation and competency evaluation. Remands for further proceedings.
Term. of Parent-Child Rel. of K.V.; P.V. v. IDCS (NFP)
64A04-1004-JT-236
Juvenile termination of parental rights. Affirms trial court’s determination that the mother freely and voluntarily relinquished her parental rights.
Calvert Byrd v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A03-1009-CR-456
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class A misdemeanor battery and Class A misdemeanor interference with the reporting of a crime.
Zuryzaday J. Flores v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A04-1008-CR-485
Criminal. Affirms sentence for Class A felony criminal deviate conduct and Class B felony burglary.
Margaret Roupp, et al. v. Robert Roupp (NFP)
41A01-1007-MI-335
Miscellaneous. Reverses trial court’s denial of Family and Social Services Administration’s motion to correct error, and remands with instructions to vacate spousal support order.
Renee Wilson v. Indiana Horse Racing Commission (NFP)
49A02-1011-MI-1303
Miscellaneous. Affirms order dismissing with prejudice the petition for judicial review of a decision of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission granting Wilson only a conditional horse racing trainer’s license containing the restriction that the horses she trained be stabled in Indiana.
Marlonda Tigner v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A02-1008-CR-906
Criminal. Affirms sentence following conviction of Class D felony theft and adjudication as an habitual offender.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Opinions April 25, 2011
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. Marcus Curlin
10-3033
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
Criminal. Affirms District Court’s decision to deny motion to suppress, without an evidentiary hearing, stating Marcus Curlin failed to identify any disputed issues of fact that affect the outcome of the motion.
Judges uphold identity thief’s sentence
In a decision Friday, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals repeated its holding that a District judge can satisfy the review standards under 18 U.S.C. Section 3553(a) without having to list every possible sentencing factor or detail of every argument raised for the federal appellate court to find that the sentence was proper.
Opinions April 22, 2011 ILD
Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Court of Appeals, and Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Opinions April 22, 2011
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. Garjon Collins
10-2576
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division, Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen.
Criminal. Affirms 108-month sentence following guilty plea to 11 counts of misusing a Social Security number and 11 counts of aggravated identity theft. The District Court properly considered the Section 3553(a) sentencing factors and imposed an appropriate, reasonable sentence in this case.
Ind. magistrate judge to chair Federal Judicial Center committee
U.S. Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker has been appointed by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. to serve as chair of the Federal Judicial Center’s U.S. Magistrate Judge Education Advisory Committee.
Lawsuit to take bar exam goes to 7th Circuit
The man who believes he should be able to sit for the bar exam even though he didn’t go to law school has asked the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the dismissal of his lawsuit.
Justices put school board member back on Hammond mayoral ballot
The Indiana Supreme Court late Thursday reversed a decision from a Lake Superior judge and put a nonpartisan school board member back on the ballot for the Hammond mayoral run in the upcoming primary election.
Social Security income shouldn’t be considered in restitution orders
Dealing with an issue of first impression, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled that Social Security income must be excluded when considering a defendant’s ability to pay restitution.
Justices find email is constitutionally protected speech
A trial court erred in granting summary judgment to a fire chief and township in a firefighter’s suit following his termination by the chief for sending a personal, political email that the chief believed contained false statements of fact. The firefighter’s email was actually constitutionally protected speech, the Indiana Supreme Court held Thursday.
Opinions April 21, 2011 ILD
Indiana Court of Appeals
Michael L. Alexander v. State of Indiana
71A04-1006-CR-372
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B felony operating a motor vehicle after a lifetime suspension of driving privileges. Police inspection of BMV records doesn’t implicate the Fourth Amendment, so the police stop of Alexander based on the information in his driver’s record was permissible.
Charles R. Bilyeu v. Frani Bilyeu (NFP)
06A05-1006-DR-356
Domestic relation. Reverses order that Charles Bilyeu pay the attorney fees of his wife upon the dissolution of their marriage. Remands with instructions.
Scott F. Carbary v. Shawn Miller d/b/a SignificantCars.com (NFP)
49A02-1005-PL-582
Civil plenary. Affirms summary judgment in favor of Shawn Miller on Miller’s suit to collect a commission. Awards Miller appellate attorney fees and remands for determination of the appellate attorneys fee award.
A.C., et al., Alleged to be C.H.I.N.S.; D.B. v. I.D.C.S. (NFP)
49A05-1002-JC-154
Juvenile. Grants rehearing to clarify why In Re M.R. is distinguishable, directs the juvenile court to amend the participation degree, and affirms original opinion in all other respects.
Stephen C. Wood v. State of Indiana (NFP)
28A01-1009-CR-515
Criminal. Affirms conviction of and sentence for Class B felony conspiracy to commit dealing in methamphetamine.
S.T.S. v. State of Indiana (NFP)
47A05-1009-JV-558
Juvenile. Affirms finding S.T.S. is a juvenile delinquent for committing what would be Class C felony burglary if committed by an adult.
Travis S. Chandler v. State of Indiana (NFP)
28A04-1009-CR-574
Criminal. Affirms convictions of two counts of Class D felony battery on a law enforcement officer resulting in bodily injury and one count of Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.
Eric A. Simmons v. State of Indiana (NFP)
65A01-1008-CR-389
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class B felony dealing in methamphetamine.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Opinions April 21, 2011
Indiana Supreme Court
Tom George, et al. v. National Collegiate Athletic Association
94S00-1010-CQ-544
Certified question. The NCAA’s ticket-allocation process for championship sporting events – only refunding the face value and not a handling fee to unsuccessful applicants – is not an illegal lottery under Indiana law because no prize was awarded to those applicants who received the opportunity to purchase tickets. Where an event coordinator creates the primary market for event tickets, the fair-market value of the tickets is equal to their face value and there is no “prize.”
NCAA championship ticket distribution not a lottery
The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s ticket-distribution plan for championship games doesn’t constitute a “lottery” under Indiana law, the Indiana Supreme Court decided Thursday. The issue was before the justices as certified questions from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Kissing a sleeping victim doesn’t constitute sexual battery
A victim being asleep isn’t equivalent to a mental disability or deficiency for purposes of the sexual battery statute, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Wednesday.
Opinions April 20, 2011 ILD
Indiana Supreme Court had posted no opinions IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
Ricky E. Graham v. State of Indiana
22A01-1008-PC-392
Post conviction. Grants rehearing to clarify comments made regarding the creation and preservation of evidentiary records in post-conviction relief proceedings and affirms original opinion in all respects.
The Adoption of R.S.T.; J.T. v. G.N. (NFP)
71A03-1008-AD-475
Adoption. Affirms order granting stepfather G.N.’s petition for adoption of R.S.T.
Edward P. Barsh v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A02-1009-CR-1047
Criminal. Affirms revocation of home detention.
LaTrice L. King v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A05-1007-CR-560
Criminal. Affirms conviction of and sentence for Class B felony criminal confinement.
James Lee-Vaughn White, II v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A04-1009-CR-586
Criminal. Affirms conviction of Class D felony theft.
Loren Sallee v. State of Indiana (NFP)
31A01-1008-CR-399
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class A misdemeanor domestic battery, Class D felony domestic battery, and Class A misdemeanor interference with reporting of a crime.
Luis Briones v. State of Indiana (NFP)
71A03-1009-CR-450
Criminal. Affirms convictions of murder, Class C felony criminal recklessness and Class A misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license.
L.R. v. Review Board (NFP)
93A02-1009-EX-1010
Civil. Affirms decision of the review board concluding that L.R. is disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance benefits because he was discharged for just cause.
Jason Morales v. State of Indiana (NFP)
82A04-1005-CR-311
Criminal. Affirms three convictions of Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor.
Andrew S. Dugger v. State of Indiana (NFP)
48A05-1008-CR-562
Criminal. Affirms convictions of and sentence for Class B felony possession of a dangerous device or material by a prisoner and Class C felony battery.
Napoleon Camarillo v. State of Indiana (NFP)
46A03-1009-CR-553
Criminal. Affirms sentence following guilty plea to Class B felony dealing in cocaine.
Carl Brown v. State of Indiana (NFP)
49A04-1007-CR-448
Criminal. Affirms convictions of Class B felony robbery, Class C felony intimidation, and Class B felony possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
Woody E. Sinclair v. State of Indiana (NFP)
02A03-1008-CR-443
Criminal. Affirms conviction of and sentence for Class C felony burglary.
Stroh Landmark, LP, et al. v. Willis Hecht (NFP)
17A03-1011-PL-631
Civil plenary. Reverses denial of Indiana Trial Rule 60(B) motion to set aside default judgment on a real estate transaction issue. Remands for further proceedings.
Term. of Parent-Child Rel. of C.S., et al; K.L. v. I.D.C.S. (NFP)
57A03-1009-JT-464
Juvenile. Affirms termination of parental rights.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Opinions April 20, 2011
Indiana Court of Appeals
Ricky E. Graham v. State of Indiana
22A01-1008-PC-392
Post conviction. Grants rehearing to clarify comments made regarding the creation and preservation of evidentiary records in post-conviction relief proceedings and affirms original opinion in all respects.
Justices dismiss appeal
The Indiana Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal in an insurance case involving attorney-client privilege because the parties have reached a mediated settlement.
Open house Thursday for court agency office
The Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau is holding an open house Thursday for its new offices in the City-County Building in downtown Indianapolis. The 40-year-old court agency provides recommendations to the court for custody and visitation.
UPDATE: Hamilton Superior judge surprised by case resolution
In all his years on the bench, Hamilton Superior Judge William J. Hughes said he hasn’t experienced what he did this week as a defendant in a North Carolina court.