INDIANAPOLIS – A Huntington man will challenge his conviction for child molesting during a Court of Appeals oral argument at Indiana University South Bend on Feb. 25.

Judges Michael P. Barnes, Terry A. Crone and Nancy H. Vaidik will hear the case on appeal from Huntington Circuit Court. The argument will start at 10 a.m. in Northside Hall Room 158 and will last about 40 minutes. The judges will answer audience questions afterward, but will not comment on the case they’ve just heard.

Judge Barnes served as St. Joseph County prosecutor for 20 years before his appointment to the court in 2000. Judge Crone is a former St. Joseph Circuit Court judge who has served on the Court of Appeals since 2004.

The court is visiting IUSB by invitation of the American Democracy Project, whose website describes it as “a multi-campus initiative focused on higher education’s role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens for our democracy.”

Reporters, including student journalists, may ask the court’s permission to video or photograph the oral argument. Requests must be faxed to the Court Administrator (317-233-4627) at least 48 hours before the scheduled start of the argument. Per Indiana Supreme Court order, all cameras must be tripod mounted and cannot employ flash or strobe lighting. All recording is limited to the oral argument itself; no recording will be allowed during a short Q/A between the judges and audience that will follow the argument.

About this case: The State charged Overton with Class A felony child molesting, but after a bench trial, the trial court found Overton guilty of Class C felony child molesting. The trial court denied Overton’s motion to correct error, which argued that the statute of limitations for a Class C felony had run by the time the state charged him. The State argues that the statute of limitations was paused by Overton’s concealment of his crime through threats to the victim.

The Court of Appeals hears oral arguments across Indiana to enable Hoosiers to observe the court in action and learn more about its indispensable role in Indiana government. This will be the court’s 355^th “Appeals on Wheels” event since the court’s 2000-2001 centennial.

For more information about the court, please visit www.courts.in.gov.

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