Indiana Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments on USI campus

The Court of Appeals of Indiana will hear oral arguments in Keith A. Laughlin v. State of Indiana at the University of Southern Indiana at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 3. The hearing will take place in Carter Hall, and is free and open to the public.

The case concerns Keith A. Laughlin, who is appealing his conviction of Level 6 felony intimidation. Laughlin's conviction is based on an incident during which he made multiple phone calls to the Johnson County 911 on a Saturday, indicating there was a bomb in the Johnson County Courthouse. Laughlin argues the State did not present sufficient evidence he intended the Courthouse to be evacuated as a result of his threat. Further, Laughlin argues the State did not prove the presence of a bomb comported with the statutory definition of "forcible felony."  The State asserts Laughlin's arguments are invitations to reweigh the evidence and that they present sufficient evidence to prove each element of the crime.

Presiding on the panel of judges are the Honorable Melissa S. May, the Honorable John G. Baker and the Honorable Robert R. Altice, Jr. A question and answer period will follow the oral arguments.

Traveling oral arguments, or Appeals on Wheels, help Hoosiers learn more about the judiciary's indispensable role in Indiana government. They also provide opportunities for Court of Appeals judges to meet and talk with a broad range of citizens in relatively informal settings. For more information, contact Ashley Reed at 317-234-4859 or at ashley.reed@courts.in.gov.