Appeals court rules Cozmanoff wrongful death civil lawsuit can proceed

CROWN POINT | The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday reversed a lower court's decision to stay discovery in a wrongful death lawsuit launched against a Lakes of the Four Seasons man. James Cozmanoff, 43, is facing criminal charges in the death of Lake County corrections officer Britney Meu…

Lawyers, businesswomen come to aid of former inmates

CROWN POINT | Prison inmates on the path to re-entering their communities and the job market will have more than 700 pieces of "gently used" professional clothing to choose from, thanks to the Lake County Bar Association and local businesswomen.

6 charged in murder, robbery of Gary man

CROWN POINT | Prosecutors have charged six individuals with murder, robbery and burglary in connection with the homicide of a 61-year-old Gary man nearly three years ago.

National group lauds success of Gary City Drug Court

GARY | In the forefront of the movement toward "problem-solving" courts, the Gary City Drug Court has chugged along since its inception 17 years ago.

Couple charged with attempted murder in shooting of Gary man

CROWN POINT | Prosecutors charged a Gary couple in connection with a shooting earlier this month that sent a man to the hospital with multiple wounds, include one to the head.

Criminal code revamp long way from over

CROWN POINT | Despite being signed into law last week, the first revision of the Indiana Criminal Code in decades is far from a done deal.

Indiana Supreme Court hears oral arguments in rare visit to region

MERRILLVILLE | Members of the Indiana Supreme Court were lauded Thursday during a rare visit for keeping in mind much of their audience included students from nearly a dozen local high schools.

E.C. man charged in slaying after co-defendant says he pulled trigger

CROWN POINT | The fourth of six defendants charged in connection with a fight in an East Chicago parking lot that left one man dead pleaded guilty Wednesday to obstruction of justice.

Crown Point man accused of having bomblike devices in car

CROWN POINT | Prosecutors said they have charged a Crown Point man with having two devices containing explosive material in his car when arrested after fleeing police.

Judge declares mistrial in E.C. murder trial

CROWN POINT | Learning a juror had recognized a victim's son as a co-worker, Lake Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell on Monday declared a mistrial in the murder trial of an East Chicago man accused of shooting the man's father.

Judge: 'I accept you as you are'

CROWN POINT | One 2012 graduate of Lake County's new problem-solving court -- known as Community Transition Court -- looks back at about a dozen years of incarceration.

E.C. gang culture takes center stage at murder trial

CROWN POINT | A jury returned a verdict Friday on three of the five charges against an East Chicago gang member accused of shooting a man during a robbery attempt.

Hammond man handed 38 years in wife's slaying

CROWN POINT | A Hammond man was sentenced Friday to 38 years in prison for the fatal shooting of his estranged wife.

Police: Witness in Gary slaying admitted she pulled trigger

CROWN POINT | Prosecutors on Thursday filed murder charges against a witness in a murder case who in recent weeks had named another person as the killer.

3 plead guilty in E.C. man's death

CROWN POINT | Three of five men charged last year with murder and other counts in connection with the death of an East Chicago man pleaded guilty Thursday to criminal recklessness.

Trial in East Chicago double shooting opens

CROWN POINT | Lake Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell and attorneys sparred Tuesday over how much of East Chicago's gang warfare will come into play during this week's murder trial of admitted gang member Kevin Strong.

Merrillville man sentenced to 8 years for deadly shooting

CROWN POINT | Lake Criminal Court Judge Clarence Murray on Friday sentenced a 19-year-old Merrillville man to eight years in prison for the fatal shooting of a man during a dispute.

Cedar Lake man sentenced to 80 years for killing neighbor

CROWN POINT | A 24-year-old Cedar Lake man was sentenced Friday to 80 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of a neighbor before he set fire to the man's house.

Schererville attorney earns top leadership award

SCHERERVILLE | A veteran area attorney has been recognized with a top leadership award by the state's leading legal publication.

Lake County cop alleges McDonald's worker spit on his chicken wrap

CROWN POINT | A Lake County police officer sued a local McDonald's alleging an employee spit on his chicken wrap and dropped it on the floor.

The Indiana Lawyer gives Lake County judge a leadership award

CROWN POINT | A prominent Indianapolis-based legal publication has named Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins to its 2013 roster of leaders in the law.

Michigan City man sentenced to 50 years for teen's murder

CROWN POINT | A Michigan City man already serving 20 years for shooting at a couple on Interstate 80/94 was sentenced Wednesday to an additional 50 years in the murder of a teenage friend.

Man pleads guilty in Lake Station shooting

CROWN POINT | A Gary man admitted Tuesday to shooting a man in the neck during a 2011 encounter in Lake Station.

Man charged with murder in Gary shooting

CROWN POINT | An 18-year-old Gary man was charged Monday with last year's fatal shooting of a man who had left his home to go the store, police said at the time.

Lake Station teacher retires under cloud after blackboard comments

CROWN POINT | Charges against a Lake Station teacher remained under review by Lake County prosecutors Friday, two days after the Lake Station Community School board accepted the veteran teacher's letter of retirement

5 accused of scamming North Hammond Walmart

CROWN POINT | Lake County prosecutors have charged five people with multiple counts of forgery and counterfeiting in an alleged plot to defraud a Hammond Walmart.

Gary man on trial in alleged attack on girlfriend

CROWN POINT | Opening arguments in the trial of a Gary man Tuesday presented opposite versions of what led to serious injuries suffered by the man's on-again, off-again girlfriend.

Hammond bar owner gets probation for tampering with evidence in murder

CROWN POINT | The owner of a Hammond bar charged with obstruction of justice for disposing of a knife and other evidence after a murder pleaded guilty Tuesday to a reduced charge.

Gary man handed 55 years in fatal shooting

CROWN POINT | A Gary man was sentenced Monday to 55 years in prison for slaying a man he claimed had robbed him.

Gary man arrested after police find drugs, filth in home, police say

CROWN POINT | Officials declared a home in the Aetna section of Gary uninhabitable Thursday and police arrested a man living there on a drug charge, police said.

Police: Man injured in Lake Dale blaze

CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP | Lake County police responding Thursday to a fire that leveled a home near Lake Dalecarlia discovered an injured man, who was airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center.

Gary woman found guilty in boyfriend's murder

CROWN POINT | A Lake County jury deliberated less than 90 minutes Friday before finding a 34-year-old Gary woman guilty of murder in the 2009 shooting of a man with whom she had a longtime relationship.

Four East Chicago men charged in I-80/94 random shooting

CROWN POINT | Prosecutors have charged four East Chicago men with multiple counts including attempted murder in a random shooting on the interstate, which wounded a man in the head.

Nephew of convicted shooter handed 55 years for role in Mansards slaying

CROWN POINT | Lake Criminal Court Judge Clarence Murray on Thursday sentenced a 31-year-old Chicago man to 55 years in prison for his role in a 2011 drug-related shooting and high-speed chase.

Gary police officer charged in ghost employment, theft

CROWN POINT | Prosecutors have charged a full-time Gary police officer with also holding a full-time position as a county corrections officer and a part-time job with a Gary trucking firm.

Lake County prosecutors host mock trial to showcase technology

CROWN POINT | A mock trial of a robbery defendant set the stage Wednesday for the office of Lake County Prosecuting Attorney Bernard Carter to shed light on its expanding use of technology to cut the time and cost of prosecution.

Years of domestic abuse led to killing, woman says

CROWN POINT | The murder trial of a 34-year-old Gary woman opened Tuesday with the state claiming the woman killed a longtime boyfriend after partying, and the defense claiming it was the toll of years of domestic abuse.

4 charged in fatal shooting of 14-year-old Merrillville boy

CROWN POINT | Three Merrillville men and a teen have been charged with murder and criminal gang activity in connection with last week's fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy through a window of his home.

Man found guilty but mentally ill gets 52 years for killing friend

CROWN POINT | The mental state of a Gary man convicted of shooting a close friend to death dominated his sentencing hearing Monday, as it had his trial.

More costs reported in Isom death penalty case

CROWN POINT | Defense costs of the Kevin Isom death penalty trial through mid-December show a slight increase from September, with a full accounting not expected until sometime in May.

Merrillville man pleads guilty in fatal shooting

CROWN POINT | A 19-year-old Merrillville man on Thursday pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in the 2001 shooting of Bryan McCoy.

Calumet Twp. man again rejects reduced plea in mother's slaying

CROWN POINT | A Calumet Township man accused of murder in the death his 94-year-old mother for the second time on Wednesday publicly rejected pleading guilty to a felony with a maximum sentence of eight years.

Man gets 80 years in Cedar Lake stabbing, arson

CROWN POINT | A 24-year-old Cedar Lake man pleaded guilty Wednesday to murder and arson in last summer's fatal stabbing of a 32-year-old neighbor before setting fire to the man's house.

Disabled burn victim awarded $12M settlement

CROWN POINT | A 47-year-old man with multiple disabilities has been awarded one of the largest settlements in the state -- $12 million -- for irreversible injuries caused by being placed in a bath of scalding water by a home health care worker.

ACLU of Indiana celebrates 60 years of fighting for civil liberties

After last week's settlement of a lawsuit claiming Griffith Public Schools violated First Amendment rights of three students, a longtime official with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana declined comment on the case.

Lake Station man charged with wife's murder

CROWN POINT | Prosecutors on Friday charged a Lake Station man with murder in the death of his wife in September.

High court prevents judge's move to Lake juvenile bench

CROWN POINT | The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday granted a temporary stay sought by three Lake Juvenile Court magistrates who oppose the selection of Lake Superior Judge Nicholas Schiralli as Juvenile Court judge.

Highland man sentenced to 55 years for killing girlfriend

CROWN POINT | A Highland man was sentenced Friday to 55 years in prison in the shooting death of his girlfriend after the couple returned home from a night of drinking last year.

Philpot surrenders to Michigan federal prison facility

CROWN POINT | Former Lake County Clerk Thomas Philpot surrendered Tuesday at a federal prison in Michigan to begin serving an 18-month sentence imposed by the court last month.

Area lawyers weigh in on challenge to breath tests

A prominent attorney is suggesting a failure by the Indiana Department of Toxicology to update its rules on the certification breath test equipment may have rendered results invalid since at least Jan. 1.