November 2001 SITTING
OF THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
9:30 a.m. Jason Wentz v. State of Indiana
Jason Wentz was convicted of murder, kidnapping, burglary, auto theft, residential entry, and
robbery. In this consolidated proceeding from Vanderburgh Circuit Court, Wentz appeals his
convictions and the denial of post-conviction relief.
Attorney for Wentz
I. Marshall Pinkus
Indianapolis, IN
Attorney for State
Timothy W. Beam
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, IN
Wednesday, November 14, 2001
9:30 a.m. Ira C. Ritter and The Kroger Co. v. Jerry Stanton and
Ruth A. Stanton
Jerry Stanton was injured after being pinned between two semi-tractor trailers, one of
which was driven by Ira Ritter, an employee of Kroger. Stanton was
employed by Gateway Freightline Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kroger. Stanton filed
a personal injury action against Ritter and Kroger in the Marion Superior Court.
The courts below decided that worker’s compensation was not Stanton’s exclusive remedy.
In addition, the courts below decided that the net $55 million verdict
in favor of Stanton was not excessive and that courts do not compare
one verdict to another in deciding whether one is excessive. See Ritter
v. Stanton, 745 N.E.2d 828 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). Kroger petitions to
transfer jurisdiction to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Attorney for Appellant’s
Karl L. Mulvaney
David C. Campbell
Nana Quay-Smith
Candace L. Sage
Indianapolis, IN
Julia Blackwell Gelinas
Indianapolis, IN
Attorney for Appellees
Thomas E. Hamer
Anderson, IN
David V. Dorris
Bloomington, IL
Patricia A. Small
William L. Broom III
Carbondale, IL