[APPEALS] Nathaniel Jordan v. State of Indiana, 23A CR 1780

Nathaniel Jordan's girlfriend was driving a van carrying Jordan, their toddler, and his girlfriend's other three children (ages 3 to 6) when the van crashed and flipped on a highway, killing her oldest child. Jordan had been driving before his girlfriend, who had been drinking alcohol, took the wheel. Two of the children lacked proper child restraints at the time of the crash.

After a jury trial, Jordan was convicted of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, three lesser counts of neglect of a dependent, battery, and driving while suspended. The trial court sentenced him to 41 years imprisonment. Jordan appeals, claiming, among other things, that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to prove he committed neglect of a dependent resulting in death; (2) he proved he acted in self-defense and the trial court improperly restricted the jury's consideration of that defense; and 3) prosecutorial misconduct amounting to fundamental error occurred during the State's closing argument to the jury.

The scheduled panelists are Judge Weissmann, Judge Foley, and Judge Felix.