In an effort to bring the workings of the judicial system closer to the people it serves, the Indiana Court of Appeals will hear oral argument on a pending case on February 22, 2005, at 3:00 o’clock p.m. in the Goodrich Room of Lilly Library at Wabash College.
A three-judge panel consisting of the Honorable Margret G. Robb, the Honorable James S. Kirsch, and the Honorable Patricia A. Riley will hear the case of Jose Macias v. State of Indiana.
Jose Macias was convicted of murder and received the maximum sentence of sixty-five years; on appeal, Macias challenges both his conviction and his sentence, arguing that his conviction should be reversed because the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction and because he was prejudiced by the admission of certain evidence, and that his sentence is inappropriate.
The case will be argued by the defendant’s attorney, Gregory P. Kauffman of South Bend, Indiana, and Steve Carter, the Attorney General of Indiana.
Each side will be given thirty minutes to argue their case. Often, the judges will ask questions during the presentation. The panel of judges will take the arguments under advisement and issue an opinion in the near future.
The judges will answer questions of the audience at the conclusion of the oral argument. However, due to the Code of Judicial Conduct, the judges will not be able to answer any specific questions about the case, but can respond to general inquiries about the legal system. The judges will also be available for photographs either before or after the oral argument.
The public is encouraged to attend. Normal courtroom rules of decorum will apply.
A reception will be held immediately following the argument in the Fobes Lounge.