Preview:

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT
Michael D. Head James Geiger Matthew Conrad Geiger Conrad & Head Indianapolis, Indiana

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES
Jonathan L. Mayes Alexander Will Nicole R. Kelsey Office of Corporation Counsel Indianapolis, Indiana

______________________________________________________________________________
Sep 22 2010, 10:28 am

FILED
of the supreme court, court of appeals and tax court

In the

Indiana Supreme Court
_________________________________ No. 49S02-1009-CV-509 ROSALYN WEST,

CLERK

Appellant (Plaintiff below), v. BETTY WADLINGTON, JEANETTE LARKINS, CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS D/B/A INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, Appellees (Defendants below). _________________________________ Appeal from the Marion Superior Court, No. 49D06-0803-CT-010163 The Honorable Thomas J. Carroll, Judge _________________________________ On Petition To Transfer from the Indiana Court of Appeals, No. 49A02-0809-CV-849 _________________________________

September 22, 2010

Rucker, Justice.

In this opinion we determine that a trial court with general jurisdiction to adjudicate claims of defamation and invasion of privacy is not ousted of jurisdiction merely because a religious defense to the claims is asserted.

Facts and Procedural History

In October 2007, Rosalyn West was a member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, chair of the Churchs Christian Education Committee, and a member of the Churchs Pastoral Search Committee. Betty Wadlington and Jeanette Larkins were also church members, and Larkins belonged to the Churchs Women of Faith Group. On October 14, 2007,

Wadlington sent an email message to Larkins and two other individuals informing them of an attached memo she previously had sent to the Churchs Board of Deacons and Board of Trustees. These boards oversee Church organization and decide its religious, doctrinal, and political matters, including whether individuals may serve on various Church committees. Wadlingtons memo urged the Deacons and Trustees that West must be "dealt with" by being removed from positions on the Education and Search Committees. Appellants App. at 14. Among other things the memo alleged that West was a "one woman wrecking crew" and "anything but Christ -like." Id. The memo alleged that West "set up" a former pastor and "provoked" him into certain behavior that led to his dismissal, and that she "had to know that if she ,,attacked his child and wife that he was going to respond

Download Rosalyn West v. Betty Wadlington,et al..pdf

Indiana Law