The Indiana Supreme Court will hold an oral argument in the Moot Court Room of the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2007, Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard announced today.

The appeal being heard is Richard Brown v. State. Following a jury trial in the Marion Superior Court, Mr. Brown was convicted of three counts of class D felony criminal confinement and three counts of class D felony identity deception in connection with the appellant's telling victims they would win a prize if they would leave their clothing at the appellant's residence. The Court of Appeals reversed the confinement convictions and affirmed the others in Brown v. State, 848 N.E.2d 699 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006), vacated. Its opinion can be viewed at www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/06070603.tac.pdf and www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/11130601tac.pdf. The Supreme Court has granted a petition to transfer the case, thus vacating the opinion of the Court of Appeals, and has assumed jurisdiction over the appeal.

Attorney Joel Schumm, of Indianapolis, will represent Mr. Brown and Deputy Attorney General Kathryn Stein will represent the State of Indiana.

The argument will last about forty minutes, with each side having twenty minutes to argue its side of the case. The public and the news media are invited to attend.

Following the argument, the Court likely will conduct a question and answer session for the benefit of the audience.

NEWS MEDIA COVERAGE INFORMATION

The Indiana Supreme Court allows photography and recording of its arguments under certain conditions. The Supreme Court will allow two still news photographers and two video news photographers. No flash photography is allowed and photographers must use a tripod or monopod and remain in place for the entire argument. Radio reporters are also welcome. To make arrangements for media coverage, contact David Remondini, 317.233.8684 or at dremondi@courts.state.in.us.

If more than two still photographers and two video news photographers are present, the news organizations must agree to a "pool" arrangement for those news organizations that are present at the site but not allowed to bring their photographic equipment inside. Making the pool arrangements is the responsibility of the news media and the Supreme Court will not become involved other than to exclude all cameras in the event there is a dispute.