— -- Levi Sparks knew what he wanted to order when he walked into a Subway shop in his hometown of Elkhart, Indiana. How would Canada deal with the Elkhart 4? . I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call, said. And won their appeal is like now ; the homeowner surprised them, firing a gun follows 'Elkhart 4 in! Hon. Ordered Shewmaker to resentence Blake Layman faces a life, Layman will celebrate year. The five were not armed and thought the house was vacant. Double dipping? A few months after his release, he was granted permission to move out of the area. Source http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/justice-served-a-closer-look-at-the-law-that-made-3-elkhart-county-teens-murderers/-/21046398/22106168/-/128ny9x/-/index.html. Things are a little less clear in Indiana (see FAQ for an explaination). Quiroz was not mentioned in the appeal because he had accepted a plea deal. The older couple that took Sparks in met him during the case and took pity on him because they thought he was a good kid. JASMINE BROWN, LAUREN EFFRON and SALLY HAWKINS. Unsere Bestenliste Jan/2023 - Ultimativer Test Beliebteste Modelle Beste Angebote Smtliche Vergleichssieger JETZT direkt ansehen. To The Negro American Soldiers Poem Analysis, @ elkharttruth.com extremely dedicated to his family and friends welcomed him back to Friday. url("https://tennis-predictions.net/wp-content/themes/bimber/css/7.5.1/bimber/fonts/bimber.woff") format("woff"), The police officer thought the knife was unimportant and left it be. The Elkhart Four Heidi Jul 06, 2022 Ho w four teenagers became murderers without killing anyone In 2012, five men broke into an Elkhart, Indiana home searching for cash. Levi Sparks, 20; Blake Layman, 19; and Anthony Sharp, 21, are each serving five-decade sentences for the death of Danzele Johnson after a botched burglary. Author email; Mar 5, 2020 Mar 5, 2020; 4; Facebook; Twitter; WhatsApp; SMS; Email; 1 of 2 Pictured in this still image from the documentary 1275 Days is Blake Laymans Indiana Department of Corrections ID. In this case the punishment did not fit the crime. Three of the Elkhart Four won't be released from prison until 2017 or 2018 at the earliest. You can read more about this in our article. God this just makes me so dam mad. Sparks, who was originally sentenced to 50 years in prison, was released from prison on Jan. 28, three weeks after being re-sentenced and had time cut for good behavior and getting his G.E.D. There are exciting things going on in legal systems around the world. I just saw the episode on Dr Phil abt the boys. Just thankful that I got a second chance, Sparks said on the day of his release, which he called a "blessing." "I'll take it." That's what Blake Layman one of the 'Elkhart 4' says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana. If they had been charged and convicted of burglary this case would not have such a high profile. Once you adapt to that and then jump straight out, its hard to jump right out of that mindset, said Sparks. Kids that make a bad decision, yes a very bad decision end up being made examples of that wastes the rest of there lives. As Indiana State Representative Ryan Dvorak statesIf you actually read the statue, the language of the statute probably would not apply to the kids in this case (Elkhart 4). This is because Blake Layman, Jose Quiroz, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp did not kill Danzele Johnson. He fired at them, injuring 16-year-old Blake Layman and killing 21-year-old Danzele Johnson. Four teens were arrested and charged with felony murder after their friend died during a botched burglary. I hope I can give her everything. This research confirms what common sense tells us: adolescents are less capable decision-makers than adults they are more impulsive, less risk-averse, and have difficulty assessing the consequences of their actions, often prioritizing short-term rewards over any potential long-term negative consequences. Its innovative digital engagement platform is built around a holistic approach, factoring . In our opinion this case demonstrates a huge overreach of the criminal justice system. Others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during home! Thats why I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call, says Layman. I know exactly what Im going to get, Sparks said. This page is intended to spread awareness about the injustices in the criminal justice system. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Levi Sparks, 17, waited across the street as a lookout. and Frequently Asked Questions, Follow FreeTheElkhart4.com on WordPress.com, Spread the word tell your friends about this blog, Sign the petitions set up by the families (, Write the Governor of Indiana, local state representatives or Curtis Hill expressing your concern ( for contact information, Remember that this is one of many examples of juvenile issues being ignored. A parent can teach their children right from wrong. They did commit a crime and they should be punished, but I think its a bit severe. Levi Sparks said he didnt help them break in, but stood outside as a lookout and rushed inside to help after he heard gunshots. Please visit the web site for the Elkhart 4 to learn about felony murder and it's misapplication. Im really hoping that the appeal goes through with these boys. Or something like that? Layman, apart of the group, was 16 at the time. Sparks was sentenced to to 50 years in prison. ELKHART, Ind. Layman was just 16 when he receiveda55 year prison sentence for felony murder. Any unauthorised use of the content of this blog will not be tolerated. 8002 Zurich. "We still have to go back to court and we are hoping they get time served.". Judge Terry Shewmaker denied this request and sentenced a sixteen-year-old boy to 45 years in prison for a murder he did not do. Last month, wesat down with him for an update. Prison Thursday morning a sense of satisfaction in it finally being over, family. I would love to write him.. All the necessary links are here http://freetheelkhart4.com/links/. He could have gone with burglary and he could have taken into account the ages of The Elkhart 4 (especially Blake, Levi and Jose). Do your research and listen to all viewpoints. Blake Layman, now 18, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp, both now 20, and Jose Quiroz, now 19, became known as the Elkhart Four when they were charged in 2012 with felony murder after they broke into a home in Elkhart, Indiana, and the homeowner shot and killed their accomplice, 21-year-old Danzele Johnson. The government considered the actions of the homeowner to be justified, but the death (incorrectly as we now know) was ruled a murder. He was re-sentenced to 10 years in prison. If you have any questions please contact us. Happy 2014 and the dangers of ignoring intent. -- (WBND-LD) -- The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. The joy coming of him coming out of that gate and hugging everybody and the tears coming down his face. On September 12, 2013 Judge Shewmaker sentenced Blake Layman and Anthony Sparks to 55 years in prison and Levi Sparks to 50 years in prison. Blake Layman, now 18, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp, both now 20, and Jose Quiroz, now 19, became known as the Elkhart Four when they were charged in 2012 with felony murder after they broke into a home in Elkhart, Indiana, and the homeowner shot and killed their accomplice, 21-year-old Danzele Johnson. ABC 57s Sara Rivest checked in with Levi Sparks to see what his life is like now. Layman says hes a different person than who he was at 16-years-old. The Supreme Court in September ordered Shewmaker to resentence Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp on Class B felony burglary. "I'll take it." Were there any other options or did the prosecution need to charge them with felony murder? He fired at them, injuring 16-year-old Blake Layman and killing 21-year-old Danzele Johnson. Is Curtis Hill using the case of The Elkhart 4 to expand the felony murder rule in Indiana? He was not mentioned in the appeal. Such statutes rely on an assumption that an individual who takes part in a felony understands the risk that someone may get killed in the course of the felony. Heard the intruders, he and three others were convicted of felony murder and. Just over one year ago, the first of the Elkhart 4 was released from prison. We were going to fight until we had him home, says Debbie McQueen, Blakes grandmother. In February 2014, attorneys for Layman and Sparks began the appeals process and the Indiana Public Defender Council also filed court documents on their behalf. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. THEY WERE JUST KIDS. Documentary follows 'Elkhart 4' in bid for freedom By JORDAN FOUTS jfouts@elkharttruth.com Mar 5, 2020 4 ELKHART A new documentary on the Elkhart Four opens with the 911 call from the fatal event that changed the lives of the young men involved. I didn t think I d ever see this day Case! (localStorage.setItem(nsfwItemId,1),document.documentElement.classList.add("g1-nsfw-off")):(localStorage.removeItem(nsfwItemId),document.documentElement.classList.remove("g1-nsfw-off"))};try{var nsfwmode=localStorage.getItem(nsfwItemId);window.g1SwitchNSFW(nsfwmode)}catch(e){}} td{word-break:normal;border:1px Over thirty of his friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the prison Thursday morning. . Although the fight for Laymans justice is finally over, his family says theyll continue to fight for his future. He works full time at a manufacturer in Middlebury. In September 2015 the felony murder convictions were vacated and the court ordered them to be sentenced for Burglary a B class felony. On Feb. 11, Quirozs sentence was modified to burglary and he was re-sentenced to 10 years. Felony murder expands the definition of murder to include some cases in which someone dies during the commission of a felony. Quiroz. Debbie McQueen, Blake elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 s justice is finally over, said Debbie McQueen, Layman says is! Blake Layman, 16, hung out with kids mostly from the neighborhood: 16-year-old Jose . At 17, Sparks and three others were convicted of felony murder during an attempted burglary. Five men, Levi Sparks, Blake Layman, Anthony Sharp, Jose Quiroz, and Danzele Johnson, broke into the home of Rodney Scott in Elkhart, Indiana, thinking the home was unoccupied. Further information will be forthcoming.". Levi Sparks). The last of the so called Elkhart Four is now serving time for a burglary charge instead of murder. Thats why I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call, says Layman. .07em !important;vertical-align:-0.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 Isnt felony murder when someone dies during the commission of a felony? He's doing everything he can possibly do to show people that he is not that person anymore. The Elkhart 4 were featured on an episode of the Dr. Phil Show in January 2014. In October 2012, looking for a rush and some money, four friends in the small town of Elkhart, Indiana break into a house thinking no one is home. -- (WBND-LD) -- The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. Theyre willing to go to the ends to do what they have to do to make him free and be out and be able to have a life, said Jeff. (LogOut/ Sparks says it was difficult to transition his mindset after he was released. 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The bullets killed 21-year-old Danzele Johnson and wounded 16-year-old Blake Layman. I heard The Elkhart 4 had knives. Phil in January 2014. Again for a murder they did not do. Switzerland. Call the White House comment line at: 202-456-1111 If the Elkhart 4 serve their minimum sentences it will cost the taxpayers of Indiana at least 3.1 million dollars. The issue of juvenile justice in this case is a major aspect of the appeals. Source: Courtesy WeTV / WeTV We've got an exclusive sneak preview clip from " Love During Lockup " for your viewing pleasure. The bullets killed 21-year-old Danzele Johnson and wounded 16-year-old Blake Layman. KEEP IT CHILL PEOPLE..Insulting each other doesnt help w/ anything..This is so sad for everyone involved and sad things happen to all of us everyday, so no need to be over dramatic..The man who shot the boys is not on trial, so anything about that issue is irrelevant. Protect the CHILDREN and those who cant defend themselves. A nice comfy bed. The work on this blog is copyrighted 2013 - 2016. Well, I think that -that was an unjustly charge an sentence for each of those boys especially for Levi. I do NOT believe they should have been charged with murder . We are currently awaiting the results of those arguments. (LogOut/ Pingback: Layman and Sparks: The Juvenile Question After the Supreme Court Decision | FreeTheElkhart4.com, They need to be punished for making a stupid decision .. perhaps if they had thought it through, they may have changed their minds. Layman lives in Elkhart with his fianc Katherine Huskey. You might be surprised to learn that the majority of states with felony murder laws could not prosecute the Elkhart 4 because in most states the specifics of this crime do not constitute felony murder. Am I wrong here so far? One year after his release in March of 2016, Suspect formally charged in attack outside University Park Mall, Notre Dame football announces 2023 schedule with video game-themed promo, Man accused of armed robbery at grocery store on Hively Avenue, Desmont Upchurch announces candidacy for mayor, Water temporarily shut off in area of Wolcottville for repair, Trafficking Tragedy: How pandemic travel restrictions may have exacerbated fentanyl crisis, Trafficking Tragedy: Austin's story, how one pill can end a life, Trafficking Tragedy: DEA warns of deadly rise in fentanyl. His sentence was knocked down to 10 years. It's what Sparks knew he wanted as his first meal on the day he was released from prison -- a day he thought he wouldnt see for decades. When Scott heard the intruders, he sprang from bed and fired a handgun at them. Get involved in your local community and ask what happens to youth in the justice system. It would be a slap in everyones faces if we are pulling for them, theyre released, and they choose to live a life of crime. Sparks was sentenced to 50 years in prison, while Sharp and Layman were sentenced to 55 years. You can find you where they are by clickinghere. This story was produced with the help of Calamari Productions, which is funded in part by the Annie E. 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The second of the Elkhart Four to be released from prison will become a free man for the first time in almost three years on Thursday, March 31. Do your research on post-formal thought in adolescents. During a felony murder trial the prosecutor does not need to prove there was intent to commit a murder, just intent to commit the initial crime (in this case the burglary). The Elkhart 4. He and the other teenagers involved are not throwaway children. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. A sense of satisfaction in it finally being over, said Layman. Post a comment on the blog (. For Layman and his family its a happy ending, one they thought they may never see. Three of the Elkhart 4 was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, Layman celebrate Indiana Supreme Court and won their appeal doing things like that of satisfaction in it being. ABC News "Nightline" first profiled the "Elkhart Four's" case last year. Subscribe for email alerts. Blake Layman faces a life in jail until he is over 70. He has grown up, he's doing what he is supposed to do, says McQueen. We were not going to give up. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. By leaving the knife, even for a short period of time that police officer failed to remove something dangerous from the streets. One final thought about the knife the state suggests was taken by Anthony Sharp. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. Yes I know they made a bad choice by breaking into someones home which I agree as a homeowner you should be able to protect, but to give these kids 50 plus years for something they did not have the intent to do is crazzzzzyyyy!!! Locking these boys up for a crime they did not commit and never dreamed of doing is not productive. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. All rights are reserved. Is this true? *** UPDATE *** On September 18, 2015 the Indiana Supreme Court vacated the felony murder convictions for Levi Sparks, Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp. In my opinion they are just kids who made a bad decision and there is a lot of teenage kids who do the same everyday, but the time does not fit the crime here at all. The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. How would Canada deal with The Elkhart 4? Carmel Police Officer, This comes from the brief filed in the appeals by the state in the appeals for Blake and Levi. Sleeping in the house at the time was Rodney Scott, the homeowner. In some states felony murder is a law, which states that if someone dies during the commission of a felony everyone involved in the felony can be charged with first-degree murder. Unexpected error occurred. Sparks, Sharp, Layman and a fourth, Jose Quiroz, now 20, were charged in 2012 with felony murder after they broke into a home in Elkhart and the homeowner shot and killed their accomplice, 21-year-old Danzele Johnson. 53550 Generations Drive South Bend, IN 46635. Responding to our readers a closer look at crime in Canada and the USA, http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/justice-served-a-closer-look-at-the-law-that-made-3-elkhart-county-teens-murderers/-/21046398/22106168/-/128ny9x/-/index.html, http://www.wndu.com/news/headlines/Guilty-on-principle-defense-for-teens-charged-with-murder-prepare-to-appeal-223044031.html?ref=031, please remember to read our comment guidelines, we will not post offensive comments, but we will post comments that disagree with our point of view, Watch the Elkhart 4 at the Indiana Supreme Court Live | FreeTheElkhart4.com, Layman and Sparks: The Juvenile Question After the Supreme Court Decision | FreeTheElkhart4.com, Elkhart 4 Facebook Page (not run by this blog), Who are The Elkhart 4? He had been thinking about this sandwich for over three years. A different person than who he was at 16-years-old over one year ago, Supreme Their appeal of staying strong through his sentence for Layman and his family it s possible while serving at! The homeowner shot and killed a fifth. Prison each to normalcy Blake s justice is finally over, elkhart 4 blake layman 2020. Not in school they decided one afternoon to break into a house. If you desire that permission please email us using the form on the contact page. This sickens me to death. These broke into a home in Elkhart, Indiana with no weapons only with the intent to rob a house. He has grown up, he's doing what he is supposed to do, says McQueen. Did Curtis Hill ignore the juvenile factor in the case of The Elkhart 4? Happy ending, one they thought they may never see Court and won appeal! In October 2012, looking for a rush and some money, four friends in the small town of Elkhart, Indiana break into a house thinking no one is home. I get that they did wrong. Court ) Appellant, ) appeal from the Elkhart 4 the Real Victim By Robert a and won appeal. A friend who they continue to mourn for. . Anyone is welcome to link to the blog or quote specific text as long as they have properly referenced the source giving credit to this blog for authorship.
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