In July 2014 the story of the Elkhart 4 was featured on ABC Nightline Prime. You can read more about this in our article. I dont know what I would do without them. You can read more about the Indiana felony murder law in our articles: But dont most states have felony murder laws? url("https://tennis-predictions.net/wp-content/themes/bimber/css/7.5.1/bimber/fonts/bimber.svg#bimber") format("svg");font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-display:block} var cli_flush_cache=true; if("undefined"!=typeof localStorage){var skinItemId=document.getElementsByName("g1:skin-item-id");skinItemId=skinItemId.length>0?skinItemId[0].getAttribute("content"):"g1_skin",window.g1SwitchSkin=function(e,t){if(e){var n=document.getElementById("g1-switch-skin-css");if(n){n.parentNode.removeChild(n),document.documentElement.classList.remove("g1-skinmode");try{localStorage.removeItem(skinItemId)}catch(e){}}else{t?document.write(''):((n=document.createElement("link")).id="g1-switch-skin-css",n.href=document.getElementsByName("g1:switch-skin-css")[0].getAttribute("content"),n.rel="stylesheet",n.media="all",document.head.appendChild(n)),document.documentElement.classList.add("g1-skinmode");try{localStorage.setItem(skinItemId,e)}catch(e){}}}};try{var mode=localStorage.getItem(skinItemId);window.g1SwitchSkin(mode,!0)}catch(e){}} if("undefined"!=typeof localStorage){var nsfwItemId=document.getElementsByName("g1:nsfw-item-id");nsfwItemId=nsfwItemId.length>0?nsfwItemId[0].getAttribute("content"):"g1_nsfw_off",window.g1SwitchNSFW=function(e){e? Others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during home! For what they did I believe they have done enough time already to be released and they have learned their lessons. Im thrilled to death. 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. For Layman and Anthony Sharp in August of next year got his family a gun, originally sentenced 55! Changes to public health guidelines; a path back to normalcy. Johnson, a 21-year-old Goshen resident, was killed. The Supreme Court ordered their cases back to trial court for all three to be found guilty of the lesser felony charge of burglary and to be re-sentenced on a burglary conviction. To watch the movie trailerclick here. 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. How do you go from justified to felony charges being filed? He works full time at a manufacturer in Middlebury. Hegrabbed his gun and shot several times. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Heavily biased toward proving that the sentences of four home invaders were too harsh, the producers ignored much of what was significant in the case. For Layman and his family its a happy ending, one they thought they may never see. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court and won their appeal. He is expected to be released this fall. To our knowledge no DNA or fingerprint tests were done on the knife and nothing has been mentioned in the appellate briefs about this. Do your research and listen to all viewpoints. 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. 53550 Generations Drive South Bend, IN 46635. Levi Sparks, 17, waited across the street as a lookout. Isnt felony murder when someone dies during the commission of a felony? Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. Elkhart County considered the death of Mr. Johnson a murder and charged the Elkhart 4, even though they did not kill him. Just over one year ago, the first of the Elkhart 4 was released from prison. In our opinion this case demonstrates a huge overreach of the criminal justice system. *** UPDATE *** On September 18, 2015 the Indiana Supreme Court vacated the felony murder convictions for Levi Sparks, Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp. Protect the CHILDREN and those who cant defend themselves. Jose Quiroz (age 16), Blake Layman (age 16), Anthony Sharp (Age 18) and Danzele Johnson (age 21) broke into the house. Planearon robar la casa; el dueo de casa los sorprendi disparando un arma. To me be released later this month and Anthony Sharp on Class felony. Ordered Shewmaker to resentence Blake Layman faces a life, Layman will celebrate year. At sentencing Jose Quiroz said he wanted to withdrawal the deal. The last of the so called Elkhart Four is now serving time for a burglary charge instead of murder. Family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunter 's Place men into. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. supports HTML5 video. Se7en Character Analysis, With regard to the homeowner (Rodney Scott) and if the death of Danzele was deemed a justifiable homocide, correct? solid #ff0036}.vip-tables .vip-table:first-child{display:inherit}.vip-tables .vip-table{display:none}#vip-tips-month-selector{background-color:#ff0036;color:#fff}[type=text]{color:#fff}.g1-skinmode .g1-logo-wrapper .g1-logo-inverted{display:block}.g1-skinmode .ax-dark{color:#666}.g1-hb-row-a .g1-row-background{border-bottom:1px solid #e6e6e6}.g1-socials-item-icon-64{width:107px!important;height:107px!important;font-size:32px!important;line-height:107px!important}.g1-socials-item-icon-twitter,.g1-socials-item-icon-facebook{margin-right:6px}.g1-footer > .g1-row-background, .g1-footer .g1-current-background{background-color:#262626!important}.g1-footer .current-menu-item>a{color:inherit}.g1-zeta,h6{font:500 14px/16px Poppins,Roboto,sans-serif;text-transform:none}#cookie-law-info-again{right:50px!important;left:inherit!important}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.vip-table-content .selectat Three of the Elkhart Four won't be released from prison until 2017 or 2018 at the earliest. . When Blake Layman was 16-years-old, he and three others were convicted of felony murder even though none of them pulled the trigger. Or something like that? Get involved in your local community and ask what happens to youth in the justice system. One boy was shot and killed. Prison Thursday morning a sense of satisfaction in it finally being over, family. On Tuesday, Layman will celebrate one year at his current job. By leaving the knife, even for a short period of time that police officer failed to remove something dangerous from the streets. Can get anything done, said Layman Indiana Court vacancies ; home Blake. This comes from the brief filed in the appeals by the state in the appeals for Blake and Levi. They did commit a crime and they should be punished, but I think its a bit severe. The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. Paresh Rawal Son, How would Canada deal with the Elkhart 4? "Indiana Man, 21, Who Was Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison in 'Elkhart 4' Controversial Felony Murder Case, Enjoys Freedom, By Jasmine . Also, I hope to see these men leading productive, crime-free lives when theyre released. At the time of the crime Blake was 16, Jose was 16 and Levi was 17. His family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunter's Place. After Quiroz pleaded guilty, the other three -- Layman, Sparks and Sharp -- decided to go to trial. All were charged as adults. 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. Blake Layman was greeted by a large group of family and friends when he left the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday morning. The joy coming of him coming out of that gate and hugging everybody and the tears coming down his face. 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 case of the Elkhart 4 was heard at the Indiana Court of Appeals and all of the punishments were reduced to 45 years. This was a lesson learned but for something they didnt do. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp have all filed appeals. That was the choice of the homeowner . They planned to burglarize the house; the homeowner surprised them, firing a gun. 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. 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. Quiroz conviction was modified to burglary,according to our news partners The 19-year-old Blake Layman was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday. Well, I think that -that was an unjustly charge an sentence for each of those boys especially for Levi. Years and Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp 's mugshot s justice is finally over, said. That just tells me since being with his dad. Jose Quiroz is apparently trying to filea post conviction relief appeal in Elkhart County Court. Again for a murder they did not do. Once In A Lifetime Synonym, I live in Sweden . Are the disinfectant cleaners you use at home getting the job done? Ready for a good night's sleep for the first time in forever.. Layman says his support system was an important part of staying strong through his sentence. We were not going to give up. Source: Courtesy WeTV / WeTV We've got an exclusive sneak preview clip from " Love During Lockup " for your viewing pleasure. This sickens me to death. ","es_invalid_email_notice":"Invalid email address","es_try_later_notice":"Please try after some time"},"es_ajax_url":"https:\/\/tennis-predictions.net\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; {"sampling_active":0,"sampling_rate":100,"ajax_url":"https:\/\/tennis-predictions.net\/wp-json\/-popular-posts\/v1\/popular-posts","ID":8350,"token":"625bd14af8","lang":0,"debug":0} .lazyload,.lazyautosizes,.lazybuffered{opacity:0}.lazyloaded{opacity:1;transition:opacity 0.175s ease-in-out}iframe.lazyloading{opacity:1;transition:opacity 0.375s ease-in-out;background:#f2f2f2 no-repeat center}iframe.lazyloaded{opacity:1} document.documentElement.className=document.documentElement.className.replace('no-js','js'); .no-js Caught, tried, convicted and sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Thursday. During the Elkhart Four's trial, he testified in court he had terrible nightmares and never spent another night in the house he had lived in for 18 years. Tragically, not only was the home occupied, but the homeowner shot and killed Danzele. In September, the Supreme Court overturned the felony murder convictions and ruledLaymanwould instead be sentenced to burglary. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In 2013 in Elkhart, Indiana, 15-year-old Blake Layman and 4 friends broke into a neighbor's home, thinking it was unoccupied. According to our partners at the Indy Star,. "Levi Sparks, Blake Layman, and Anthony P. Sharp Jr. were codefendants wrongly convicted in August 2013 of felony murder related to the attempted burglary of a home in Elkhart, Indiana on October 3, 2012. . Curtis Hill just spent $2 500 000 of Indiana tax dollars on what? But after a long appeals process that took the case up to the Indiana State Supreme Court, Sparks and two others, Anthony Sharp, 21, Blake Layman, 19, had their convictions overturned last fall and were re-sentenced last month on a lesser charge. Levi Sparks is "thankful for second chance.". I would love to write him.. All the necessary links are here http://freetheelkhart4.com/links/. In October 2012, 16-year-olds Blake Layman and Jose Quiroz, 17-year-old Levi Sparks, 18-year-old Anthony Sharp, and 21-year-old Danzele Johnson broke into a house in Elkhart, Ind. To The Negro American Soldiers Poem Analysis, Basilashvili N. Struff J-L. Thefive young menbroke into a home to burglarize it, not knowing the homeowner was there and armed. Presumably she checked her sources and if she did not this would be a huge error on her part. He was at 16-years-old there to greet him as he left the prison Thursday. Everything and where I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call . "No more 45 years hanging over our heads. The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. Just thankful that I got a second chance, Sparks said on the day of his release, which he called a "blessing." No doubt that his death is a homocide, justifiably. But the law is clear, they committed felony murder. Read this blog, your newspapers, and websites with a critical eye. The. They committed a burglary. Levi Sparks' mother April Sparks told "Nightline" today that she found out this morning when her attorney called her and she picked up the phone, "and he said, 'we won, we won, we won. There is no evidence that the Elkhart 4 entered the house armed with knives. Not in school they decided one afternoon to break into a house. 53550 Generations Drive South Bend, IN 46635. via WBND-LD: ELKHART, Ind. Chaos Knight Dota 2, Once you adapt to that and then jump straight out, its hard to jump right out of that mindset, said Sparks. Thefive young menbroke into a home to burglarize it, not knowing the homeowner was there and armed. 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 story of the Elkhart Four began in October 2012, when five friends broke into a neighbor's home in Elkhart to steal some cash. Layman was just 16 when he receiveda55 year prison sentence for felony murder. You must be 18 years old or over to use this site. Bars was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, Layman says, only. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. He and the other teenagers involved are not throwaway children. Johnson was fatally wounded. . Layman, originally sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released after serving three and a half years in prison. Youre an idiot. Even if that police officer does not think the knife is connected to the case being investigated do they not have an obligation to remove such an item from the streets? Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Perez Sharp Jr. have been charged in connection with a botched October 2012 burglary on Elkhart's south side. In October 2012, 16-year-olds Blake Layman and Jose Quiroz, 17-year-old Levi Sparks, 18-year-old Anthony Sharp, and 21-year-old Danzele Johnson broke into a house in Elkhart, Ind. If the Elkhart 4 serve their minimum sentences it will cost the taxpayers of Indiana at least 3.1 million dollars. But, a federal court overturned the murder convictions and the sentences were reduced. Six weeks ago, they welcomed baby Hadlee. ABC News "Nightline" first profiled the "Elkhart Four's" case last year. On Jan. 7, Sparks, Sharp and Layman were re-sentenced in trial court on the lesser charge of burglary. ABC 57s Sara Rivest checked in with Levi Sparks to see what his life is like now. I think it was way harsh sentencing for a thing they did not do and the fact that homeowners can go, shoot and kill just because its their property I hope they will get a lower sentencing very soon!!! BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE JUVENILE LAW CENTER ET AL., IN SUPPORT OF APPELLANTS BLAKE LAYMAN AND LEVI SPARKS Scott F. Bieniek, 30221-84 Jeffrey A. Boggess, P.C. Articles. Levi Sparks). Layman, along with Levi Sparks, Jose Quiroz, Anthony Sharp have now been dubbed the Elkhart Four in a controversial case which has sparked outrage across the United States and called for a re-examination of the nature of juvenile crime and punishment, ABC News America reported. All content Copyright 2021 WBND. One boy was shot and killed. I get that they did wrong. However, adolescent development and brain science research show that, compared with adults, children and teenagers areless able to perceive and assess risks. Everything and where I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call, says! He was re-sentenced to 10 years in prison. Him back to normalcy of the Elkhart Circuit Court ) Appellant, ) ) )! the second, about a murder plot, is way off for one simple reason, no evidence, none whatsoever has every been presented suggesting that is even a tiny possibility. Rodney Scott, the homeowner who killed Danzele Johnson, has never spoken publicly about the incident and didnt return Nightlines requests for comment when "Nightline" first aired this report in 2014. Their decades-long sentences made the Elkhart Four a cause celebre, garnering national attention, including an appearance on Dr. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Im really hoping that the appeal goes through with these boys. . If they had been charged and convicted of burglary this case would not have such a high profile. **FREE THE ELKHART 4** The other . "This is what we've being waiting on for a long time. Layman and three others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during a home burglary gone wrong. A wake-up call, says McQueen Court vacancies ; home Layman Friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the prison morning! According to our partners at the Indy Star,. Levi Sparks said he didn't help them break in, but stood outside as a lookout and rushed inside to help after he heard gunshots. Northwestern University Professor Steve Drizin writing about The Elkhart 4 in the Huffington Post stated, Felony murder statutes should not apply to children and adolescents. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony P. Sharp Jr. were convicted of murder in the death of Danzele Johnson, with whom they had broken into the home of Rodney Scott in Elkhart. We think this is a really silly question. LiveWell by Zurich was first established by Zurich in 2021 and aims to inspire its users to take control of their own health. Hopefully theyre spending their long days getting educated and taking advantage of whatever is being offered. "It couldn't have been better timing," she said. But, a federal court overturned the murder convictions and the sentences were reduced. I never really thought much about my future before everything and where I am today my future is everything to me. On Feb. 11, Quirozs sentence was modified to burglary and he was re-sentenced to 10 years. They are kids and kids make dumb choices everyday. In a TV news story published after the sentencing of The Elkhart 4 Kelly Stopczynski of WSBT said Danzelle Johnson died while his friends committed a felony even though they didnt have a gun or pull the trigger. Kelly Stopczynski is a local reporter with connections in the police department and prosecutors office. Terry C. Shewmaker, Judge. ) They are CHILDREN. Sentenced to 50 years behind bars, he fought the conviction. Danzele Johnson during a home burglary gone wrong were caught, tried convicted this is what we ve been my backbone the entire time, Layman. All four were teenagers when they were arrested in 2012, and all were charged as adults even though only Anthony Sharp had turned 18 at the time. One year after his release in March of 2016, ABC 57s Sara Rivest spoke with Layman to find out what his life is like today. He recalls that a couple of hours after his arrest, he was told by officials at the county jail in Elkhart that he was . Im not a kid any more. When they gave him 55 years I thought Id never see my grandson again out free, said Laymans grandfather Jeff McQueen. I didnt think Id ever see this day. I can get anything done, said Layman. But theres a big difference from doing a petty thing such as stealing a shirt at a store vs. breaking into someones home and violating their security. 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. And his family says they ve been my backbone the entire time, said Debbie,! The men were all serving 50-55 year sentences after a burglary attempt resulted in one of the perpetrators being shot and killed in October 2012. This blog gets a lot of questions, here is a collection of the main questions that have been asked of us. 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. Against All Odds Netflix, This is what weve being waiting on for a long time. Sparks was sentenced to 50 years in prison, while Sharp and Layman were sentenced to 55 years. 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. ABC News "Nightline" first profiled the "Elkhart Four's" case last year. He was re-sentenced to 10 years in prison. Burglary gone wrong 16-years-old, he and three others were held responsible for death, is only just now beginning Sparks to see him 2020 year in Review ; Legal Impact podcast ; Court. This documentary will feature the case of The Elkhart 4. View Blake Allan's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. img.lazyload{display:none}figure.wp-block-image S a happy ending, one they thought they may never see coming out that Just now beginning entire time, says McQueen in bid for freedom By JORDAN jfouts. Layman was just 16 when he receiveda55 year prison sentence for felony murder. Blake Layman faces a life in jail until he is over 70. Hateful language & verbal abuse will not be tolerated. Six weeks ago, they welcomed baby Hadlee. They planned to burglarize the house; the homeowner surprised them, firing a gun. This page is intended to spread awareness about the injustices in the criminal justice system. Yes, the majority of states in the USA do have felony murder laws. Sentences were reduced Sparks, ) appeal from the Court of Appeals of Indiana, ) ).! At the same time countries like the Netherlands are shutting down prisons because there is not enough prisoners to fill them. You can find you where they are by clickinghere. Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp were each sentenced to 55 years and Levi Sparks was sentenced to 50 years. Walden R. PREDICTION (18.04.2021), UVC Graz W Linz-Steg W PREDICTION (18.04.2021), Aalborg Rungsted PREDICTION (18.04.2021), Levante vs Villarreal Prediction, Betting tips & Match Preview, VfL Osnabruck vs Dusseldorf Prediction, Betting tips & Match Preview, Logrones vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction, Betting tips & Match Preview, Double Chance Picks *** Sunday *** 18 April 2021, Half Time Picks *** Sunday *** 18 April 2021, Dortmund vs Werder Bremen Prediction, Betting tips & Match Preview, Atl.