Indiana opinions released today
The Indiana Supreme Court released two new opinions today. In Tommy R. Pruitt v. State of Indiana Justice Boehm delivered the opinion of the Court:
Tommy Pruitt was charged with the murder of Deputy Daniel Starnes of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecutor sought the death penalty based on the fact that the victim was a law enforcement officer killed in the course of his duties. Pruitt sought to have the death penalty charge dismissed on the ground that he is mentally retarded and therefore ineligible for the death penalty. The trial court denied the motion, and a jury subsequently convicted Pruitt and recommended death. The trial court imposed that sentence. We conclude that the trial court’s finding that Pruitt is not mentally retarded is supported by the evidence. We also hold that, with one exception, the Indiana statutory provisions governing determination of mental retardation are consistent with the Eighth Amendment as explained in Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 (2002). We affirm Pruitt’s conviction and sentence.
The second opinion in In the Matter of Cynthia L. Winkler and In the Matter of Blaine Goode was delivered per curiam. Marcia Oddi has more on that decision. Meanwhile the Indiana Court of Appeals released opinions in cases:
- Frank Scott, et al v. Dept. of Waterworks of Indianapolis
- In. Office of Utility Consumer Counselor v. Lincoln Utilities, Inc., and Indiana Water Service, Inc.
