Defendant’s 24½-year sentence, based on multiple controlled buys of methamphetamine over a two-week period and the resulting traffic stop, which uncovered additional contraband, was inappropriate.
Combs v. State, No. 19A-CR-1991, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind. Ct. App., Jul. 9, 2020).
An inventory search must serve a legitimate administrative purpose and not be a pretext for an investigatory warrantless search.
Clark v. Mattar, No. 20S-CT-109, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., July 9, 2020).
When juror stated he did not want to serve as a juror, had a favorable impression of doctors, and stated repeatedly that he could not and would not be able to assess non-economic damages, he should have been struck for cause; a new trial is appropriate.
McCain v. State, No. 20S-CR-281, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., June 30, 2020).
Trial court’s comments disagreeing with the jury’s verdict were insufficient to taint the sentencing decision, and the sentence was not inappropriate given the nature of the crime and defendant’s demonstrated character
Shorter v. State, No. 19A-CR-2904, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind. Ct. App., July 6, 2020).
That officers knew defendant wanted to leave town was an exigent circumstance justifying defendant’s warrantless arrest.