Former Indiana Hispanic Congressional Candidate Challenges Judge Graham’s Bias in Default Judgment Dispute

Indianapolis, IN — March 25, 2025 — Gabriel “Gabe” Whitley, a former Hispanic congressional candidate known for his straightforward approach, is pushing back against what he sees as unfair treatment in Marion County Court. In social media posts today, Whitley criticized Judge Graham for allegedly mishandling a default judgment he won against Ryan Mears and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, suggesting the judge’s actions reflect bias and incompetence. His colorful comparison of the courtroom to a zoo—including calling Graham a “monkey” in a procedural critique—has raised eyebrows, but Whitley insists it’s about justice, not personal attacks.

At 5:40 PM PDT, Whitley posted on X: “It’s not my fault the City of Indianapolis moved the Indy Zoo to 675 Justice Wy, Indianapolis, IN 46203. The court rooms are a kangaroo court. I won my default judgment fair and square and Dishonorable Graham is trying to screw me over by putting politics over our court rules.” He emphasized that he followed procedure and deserves a fair outcome, adding, “A chimp could win this easy lawsuit, but since it’s Gabe Whitley, Democrat Graham thinks he can put politics ahead of our bylaws.” Whitley also noted that Graham “was fired from the Public Defenders Office for being incompetent,” a claim he says comes from the judge’s past employer.

The dispute stems from a lawsuit Whitley filed in December 2024 against the prosecutor’s office. Indiana Trial Rule 12 requires a response within 20 days, but court records show the defendants waited until March 2025—three months late—only filing an appearance after Whitley sought a default judgment. By law, Whitley had every right to pursue that motion, and in most cases, it would stand. Yet Judge Graham’s handling of the situation has prompted Whitley to take further action: he recently filed a motion requesting Graham recuse himself and seeking a change of venue, arguing that impartiality is at stake. Graham has denied Gabe Whitley’s request for a default judgment because he is friends with Ryan Mears the prosecutor of Marion County. Whitley sued Ryan Mears for violating his rights by arresting him over a tweet.

Whitley elaborated at 7:00 PM PDT on Facebook and X after a local reporter reached out. “I didn’t know they moved the Indy Zoo to 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis, Indiana. Not my fault they treat the Marion County Court like a zoo,” he wrote. Asked about the “monkey” remark, he clarified, “Don’t zoos have monkeys? Monkeys aren’t exactly known for their smarts; they sling shit and act on impulse. That’s the behavior I was calling out.” As a minority himself, Whitley rejected any racial spin: “I’d never throw around racist remarks, even at a judge who’s acting like they don’t know the law. My comment was a legal critique, not a personal attack.”

Whitley’s Case and Call for Fairness

Whitley, who ran for Congress in 2024 as “Honest Gabe,” has faced his share of challenges, including a guilty plea this year for campaign finance issues in Federal Court and a pending intimidation charge over a tweet in the local courts. But in this case, he’s on solid ground. The prosecutor’s office missed its deadline, and Whitley followed the rules to secure his default judgment. Graham’s apparent reluctance to honor that has fueled Whitley’s frustration—and his motion for recusal and a venue change shows he’s serious about getting a fair shake.

His “monkey” comment may have been blunt, but Whitley’s point is clear: he’s targeting perceived incompetence, not race. As a Hispanic American, he’s quick to dismiss any misinterpretation, focusing instead on what he sees as a judge overstepping. The real issue here is whether Graham’s actions align with the law or if Whitley’s claims of bias hold water. With his motions filed, Whitley’s putting the system to the test.

As of 4:14 PM PDT on March 25, 2025, this legal battle continues. Whitley’s not just fighting for his judgment—he’s standing up for a process he believes should be fair for everyone. Whether the court grants his requests could determine if justice prevails in what he calls a “zoo” of a courtroom.