Judge says no to request for dismissal
(Carmel) – A Hamilton County judge has denied Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White’s motion to dismiss felony charges that were filed against him earlier this year. He has been accused of voter fraud after submitting misleading information about his address on voting documents in 2010. White argued that there were several problems with the grand jury process that led to his indictment. His trial is scheduled for January 30. If convicted of any of the seven felonies, he will no longer stay in office.
Towing companies in violation of ordinances
(Indianapolis) – City officials are working to temporarily close a local towing company they believe is not playing by the rules. The Department of Code Enforcement is working to suspend or revoke the license of Interstate/Delaware and South Towing businesses. If officials succeed, the company would lose its license in the city for at least one year. Numerous complaints by motorists of predatory towing practices against the companies were received this year leading to changes in how towing companies operate. The Department of Code Enforcement has received 28 complaints since August 31 over high towing amounts, using questionable signage and failing to provide written authorization. A license hearing is scheduled for next month.
Prosecutors request continuance in double murder case
(Indianapolis) – Marion County prosecutors have requested a 72-hour continuance in order to keep two men arrested in the deaths of a man and his niece in custody. Jeremy Crane, 21, and Kyleigh Crane, 7, were shot in their Cumberland home December 12th. Jeremy Priel, 25, and Michael Bell, 22, are being held on suspicion of murder charges. Priel is also suspected of theft in connection with the case. The procedural move allows prosecutors to wait a few days before filing formal charges while investigators continue gathering evidence. A hearing on the continuance will take place today at 1:30pm in Marion County Superior Court 4. Both Bell and Priel are expected to be present in court. Cumberland Police still have not released a motive for the shootings.
Clerk fights robber with knife
(Indianapolis) – Police are looking for a robber who displayed a knife during a holdup at a south side gas station Monday. The man entered King’s Keystone Phillips 66 in the 3900 block of South Keystone Avenue just after 9 a.m. The suspect then handed a clerk cash to pay for some items, but when the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a knife. The clerk wrestled the knife away from the robber, but he was able to grab some money out of the cash drawer before fleeing on foot, heading eastbound on Hanna Avenue. Police are reviewing surveillance footage. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
Judge’s ruling on voucher law expected next month
(Indianapolis) – An Indianapolis judge said yesterday a decision will be made within 30 days over Indiana’s controversial school voucher law. Marion Superior Court Judge Michael Keele heard almost two hours of arguments in a lawsuit filed by a group of teachers and religious leaders supported by the Indiana State Teachers Association. Opponents to the law say the measure violates Indiana’s constitution because taxpayer money is being used to fund religious institutions. The state says the voucher system is legal because the state isn’t directly funding parochial schools but gives scholarship vouchers to parents, who can choose what schools their children will attend.
Clergy arrested at Occupy event in New York
(New York, NY) – Several Episcopal clergy have been arrested for their part in a recent Occupy Wall Street event. Ecumenical News International says a retired bishop and at least two other Episcopal priests were arrested after entering a fenced property owned by historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Lower Manhattan. The protesters were marking the three-month anniversary of the anti-corporate Occupy Wall Street movement.
Muslims kicked off airplane file lawsuit
(Nashville, TN) – Two men who were kicked off an airplane are suing Delta Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines. The Muslim men, who wore beards and traditional Arabic clothing, say they were on their way to attend an anti-Muslim conference when the pilot removed them from the flight, saying their presence would frighten other passengers. The flight was en route from Memphis, Tennessee to Charlotte.
