The Indiana Court of Appeals threw out three of six felony convictions of former Secretary of State Charlie White, citing double jeopardy. The decision, issued today, came just less than a month after a hearing on White’s appeal. The judges also ruled that White’s attorney, former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, was not ineffective. White was convicted in February 2012 of six Class D felony charges, which stemmed from his residency while he served on the Fishers Town Council. Prosecutors said White voted and took pay as a council member of a district in which he no longer resided. White claimed he was living with his ex-wife, which was within the council district. But evidence presented during the trial indicated that he had been living in a new town home outside the district.
A jury convicted the former Hamilton County Republican Party chairman of three counts of voter fraud, two counts of perjury and one count of theft. White asked the Court of Appeals to overturn his convictions and to rule that Brizzi was ineffective and did not present evidence and witnesses on his behalf.
… White’s new attorney, Andrea Ciobanu, said she and her client are pleased with the judges’ decision to reverse some of White’s convictions. “Mr. White fully intends to exhaust all of his remedies for full reversal,” Ciobanu said.
The attorney general’s office is reviewing the judges’ decision. The agency said in a statement that it has not determined whether the state will appeal the reversed convictions.
Full Article: Appeals Court throws out 3 convictions in Charlie White case.