Forfeiture of a vehicle worth four times the amount of the maximum fine of the crime was excessive.
Criminal
Lewis v. State, No. 45S00-1601-LW-32, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., Oct. 4, 2016).
The imposition of a sentence of life without parole was reversible error by the trial court because the sole aggravating factor supporting the sentence was not determined by the trier of fact beyond a reasonable doubt during the penalty phase. The Supreme Court concurred with defendant’s initial request, and in the interests of judicial economy, exercised their appellate prerogative and resentenced him to a total term of 88 years.
Sturdivant v. State, 08A02-1601-CR-186, __N.E.3d__ (Ind. Ct. App., Sept. 28, 2016).
Trial courts are in the best position to assess the competency of criminal defendants and the knowingness and intelligence of waivers of the right to counsel, and that determination will only be reversed if it was clearly erroneous.
Bell v. State, No. 49S02-1609-CR-00501, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., Sept. 29, 2016).
A trial court must consider a defendant’s ability to pay before entering a restitution order after hearing testimony of inability to pay without rebutting evidence.
Griffith v. State, No. 27S00-1503-LW-145, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., Sept. 29, 2016).
Supreme Court upholds murder, robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery conviction and sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole (LWOP).