INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A judge says restorative justice was successfully used in Indiana to remediate a confrontation in which a Black man said a group of white men assaulted him and threatened to “get a noose” while at a southern Indiana lake more than a year ago.
The alleged assault gained national attention in July 2020 when Vauhxx Booker, a local civil rights activist and member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, said he called 911 after five men assaulted him and pinned him to a tree at Lake Monroe, just south of Bloomington.
Judge Lance Hamner said it was the first time he’s seen a criminal case resolved through restorative justice, a process that includes a conference between the offender and victim and which gives the offender an opportunity to apologize.
PREVIOUS | 2 charged in July 4 Monroe Lake incident: 'This is about justice.' | Call 6: Special prosecutor & change of venue to be requested in alleged racial attack at Lake Monroe| Attorney for Vauhxx Booker denies he instigated Lake Monroe incident | Vauhxx Booker responds to newly filed charges: 'This has been humiliating and defeating'
-
Crawfordsville expanding senior ride service into public transit system
Sunshine Vans will become an on-demand ride service for all ages, including Wabash College students. The revamped Sunshine Vans will launch in January 2026.Noblesville teens lead mental health initiative through tech
A simple yet innovative component of the initiative involves a “Tags to Tap” device that connects users to a website filled with mental health resources and positive messages.Westside Indy businesses face wave of construction disruptions with more to come
Construction headaches are nothing new for the westside of Indianapolis, but for many residents and business owners, the impact is building.IFD arrests woman for arson following vacant house fire in Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Fire Department has arrested a woman for arson in connection with a fire that engulfed a vacant double residence on Indy's southwest side last month.