Court: Indianapolis Isn't Obligated To Pay Cop's Legal Fees

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal appeals court says Indianapolis doesn't have to pay the legal fees of a police officer who successfully defended a lawsuit accusing him of negligence.

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reports the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that Scott Robinett wasn't entitled to a publicly funded defense under Indiana's public employee indemnification statute.

Robinett and the city were sued by the son of Officer Kimberlee Carmack, who had been stalked by her ex-husband, Sgt. Ryan Anders. Anders killed Carmack and himself in April 2014. Dustin Carmack claimed the police department failed to protect his mother.

After fending off the lawsuit, Robinett asked U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young of the Southern District of Indiana to order Indianapolis to pay his legal costs. Young denied the request.