“I understand the criticism of the Roach case, I do. It wasn’t the result we intended, but I think it needs to be taken into perspective in compared to all of the other cases. The last five murder trials our office has tried have resulted in guilty verdicts,” says Schutte.

Schutte says the most significant challenge their office is facing is overcrowding of the Vanderburgh County Jail. Levco says, if he’s elected he will do more work releases.  However, Schutte believes there are more effective alternatives.

“Free time is a dangerous thing for people with addiction problems. So one of our reasons for that is there’s technology available that allows you to track in the eyes of the prosecutor’s office in a better, more effective way.”

The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a trial court’s dismissal of Darmstadt’s lawsuit against CWK Investments-Hillsdale, LLC (owned by Wayne Kinney). The court dismissed the suit on procedural grounds—Darmstadt failed to file its suit within the time required under state law. A copy of the decision is available here: http://publicaccess.courts.in.gov/Appellate/Document?id=2af339e4-5f4a-443b-aafa-dcbff1bff5b8

The decision upholds the trial court’s decision which found the planned apartment complex was properly zoned on the southeast side of Darmstadt. As a result of the ruling, the development company may proceed with construction of four apartment buildings containing approximately 350 apartment units (175 two-bedroom units and 175 three-bedroom units) on a 28-acre development.

Separately, CWK Investments filed suit in 2017 against Darmstadt and its Town Council members for violating the Fair Housing Act (FHA) by discriminating against minorities and multi-family residents. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, remains ongoing and charges that Darmstadt and its Town Council violated the FHA and discriminated against minorities by imposing requirements on affordable multi-family housing often used by racial minorities that they did not impose on single-family developments more frequently used by white residents. According to 2010 census data, Darmstadt is 97% white. In 2000 census data, Darmstadt was 99% white. By denying Mr. Kinney’s permit to build affordable housing, Darmstadt perpetuates segregated housing patterns and denies minorities the opportunity to seek affordable housing.

The law firm of Jackson Kelly, PLLC represents CWK Investments and Mr. Kinney in all of these matters, including the most recent litigation before the Indiana Court of Appeals which found in favor of Mr. Kinney and CWK.

President Ronald S. Rochon has announced the appointment of Aaron C. Trump to the position of chief government and legal affairs officer at the University of Southern Indiana. He will assume official duties Monday, December 3.

Trump will undertake responsibilities previously held in part by Cindy Brinker, senior vice president emerita of government relations, who retired on June 30, 2018. This position also combines the newly established, internal role of legal affairs for USI. The position will report to the president of the University and is a member of the President’s Council.

As chief government and legal affairs officer, Trump will serve as USI’s principal liaison to local, state and federal government officials, including members and staff of the Indiana General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Office of Management and Budget as well as related associations, groups and organizations locally, throughout the State of Indiana and at the federal level. He also will provide legal counsel and guidance to the president, Board of Trustees and other members of the University community on a broad range of legal matters relevant to the institution.

“Sound guidance in the government and legal affairs realms are vital to the University,” said Rochon. “Combining these fields is new to USI. Mr. Trump shows enormous passion and demonstrated skill in these two areas and we look forward to him joining our team.”

Currently, Trump serves as the civil rights investigator for all complaints falling under Title IX, Title VII and other federal and state laws for the University of Colorado in Denver. He was an associate attorney for two Evansville-based law firms: Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel and Shoulders, L.L.P. and Kahn Dees Donovan and Kahn L.L.P. In these roles, among other duties, he provided counsel to universities on student affairs and federal compliance.

Trump is licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana and has received certifications in trial advocacy skills, advanced sexual misconduct and civil rights investigation. His legal career includes representing municipalities, manufacturers, retailers and other business clients in small claims, Superior, Circuit and Federal Courts, and advising governmental departments on the policy implications of local, state and federal codes. He served as a Section Chief/Staff Sergeant – Field Artillery for the United States Army National Guard.

Trump received a Juris Doctor degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University.

Marriage Licenses Issued