7th Circuit upholds competency finding in ‘zig-zag’ weapons case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a finding that a defendant facing a weapons charge was competent to stand trial despite defense counsel’s insistence to the contrary.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Articles
Franklin mayor sued for blocking resident on Facebook after BLM video
The mayor of Franklin has been sued by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana after he allegedly blocked an individual from accessing his Facebook page.
Geologist loses second wrongful-termination lawsuit against INDOT
A geologist who tried to detour around the summary judgment granted to the Indiana Department of Transportation in his wrongful-termination lawsuit was blocked by 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found he was trying to take a road he had already traveled.
New rules on Social Security appeals, sealed cases to take effect in Southern District next week
New rules regarding Social Security appeals and sealed cases will take effect next week in the Indiana Southern District Court.
Racial diversity lacking: No minorities in decade of appointments to IN benches
Although the next Court of Appeals judge has not been selected, the three candidates nominated ensure Indiana will continue its 9-year streak of judicial appointments that do not include a person of color.
Judge weighs blocking Indiana ‘abortion reversal’ law
A federal judge said he’ll soon decide whether to block a new Indiana law that would require doctors to tell women undergoing drug-induced abortions about a disputed treatment for potentially stopping the abortion process.
Bank sues former Carmel staffers who left for rival
Busey Bank says it has lost more than $100 million in loans to a competitor because of “brazen and systematic poaching” of its employees.
Judge: Ex-Charlestown wildlife center proprietor owes PETA $734K
A judge has ordered the former proprietor of an Indiana wildlife center and his ex-wife to pay People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals more than $700,000 in attorney fees stemming from the group’s successful lawsuit alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act.
$518K attorney fee award affirmed for Jasper homebuilder, against copyright ‘troll’
A Jasper homebuilder awarded more than $518,000 in attorney fees in a dispute with an “intellectual property troll” over the use of certain floor plans gets to keep that money, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in a Wednesday decision.
Herff Jones data breach triggers lawsuits from graduation-gear customers
Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is facing three lawsuits from college students and their parents who say they were hit with fraudulent credit- and debit-card charges after using those cards to order caps, gowns and other graduation gear from the company’s website.
7th Circuit upholds de facto life sentence for ‘shocking, horrific’ child sex abuse
A man convicted of “horrific” sexual and other abuse against his son failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that a federal judge erred in imposing a de facto life sentence.
IndyBar: Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt to Receive IndyBar’s Highest Honor at the Bench Bar Conference
A selection committee acting on behalf of the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Foundation has announced the selection of Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana as a recipient of the IndyBar’s prestigious Luminary Award of Excellence. Chief Judge Pratt will be honored at the 2021 IndyBar Bench Bar Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on June 19.
Pendleton inmate represents himself in lengthy court battle
An inmate at the Pendleton Correctional Facility represented himself against a former guard for use of excessive force in a legal battle that lasted for nearly six years before culminating in March in an in-person bench trial and an award of $35,000.
Feds oppose delaying Muncie officers’ excessive force trial
Federal prosecutors are objecting to an effort by four Muncie police officers to delay their trial on allegations they used excessive force during arrests or tried to cover up that misconduct.
Suspended Rose-Hulman student’s case falters at 7th Circuit
A former Rose-Hulman student who sued the school after he was suspended and whose attorney was warned for criticizing a magistrate judge did not succeed in getting summary judgment turned around in his favor. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals also handed down an additional warning to the lawyer.
Madison County man granted habeas relief can’t sue prosecutors, 7th Circuit rules
A former inmate who sued Madison County prosecutors after he was released on habeas relief cannot pursue that lawsuit under immunity principles, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed.
Former exec loses appeal to keep his stock in $20M filtration firm
The case involved whether a co-founder of Anderson-based Hy-Pro Corp. owned stock in the business when it was sold in 2017.
7th Circuit affirms dismissal of killer’s habeas petition
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed the dismissal of a convicted killer’s habeas petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel, agreeing that his attorney’s alleged errors did not prejudice him.
Southern District to lift mask, social distancing mandates for fully vaccinated individuals
Individuals who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear a mask inside public spaces at Indiana’s Southern District courthouses beginning next month, Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt announced in a Tuesday order.
Southern Indiana District taking comments on proposed rules changes
Proposed changes to rules regarding social security appeals and sealed cases have been released for public comment by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.