Phil in January 2014. Prosecutors say Anthony Perez Sharp Jr., 19, Goshen, Jose Quiroz, 17, and Layman also. (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 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? Call the White House comment line at: 202-456-1111 This page is intended to spread awareness about the injustices in the criminal justice system. All rights are reserved. We have serious concern with a police officer at a crime scene refusing to take custody of a knife. Levi Sparks is "thankful for second chance.". Recently Smoke and Apple films used crowd funding to get $40 000 to help them with their production. "Im a grown man now and I need to start doing what grown men do and thats get their life on track and live life in a positive way. These boys must learn an important lesson. Pictured in this still image from the documentary "1275 Days" is Blake Layman's Indiana Department of Corrections ID. Jose Quiroz (age 16), Blake Layman (age 16), Anthony Sharp (Age 18) and Danzele Johnson (age 21) broke into the house. There is a REASON that MINOR CHILDREN cannot VOTE, or join the military, or even buy cigarettes until they are 18 because they are CHILDREN and cannot make judgments on cause/effect the same as adults. The homeowner opened fire and Johnson was killed. A sentencing date for the three men has not been set. Presumably she checked her sources and if she did not this would be a huge error on her part. They were adolescents. Path back to normalcy - just over one year ago, the Supreme Court and their My future is everything to me -- the second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a man. ABC 57s Sara Rivest checked in with Levi Sparks to see what his life is like now. (September 18, 2015) - The Indiana Supreme Court overturned felony murder convictions for three young men from Elkhart on Friday. I pray for all involved in this tragedy and hope these kids get a chance to live as free kids again. 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. Blake has no criminal record. We have documented several examples of cases with similar facts where prosecutors selected different options. — -- Levi Sparks knew what he wanted to order when he walked into a Subway shop in his hometown of Elkhart, Indiana. The sacrifices I have to make for my family, for everything that I care about, I know what it takes to get there and I'm not going to let anything stop me, says Layman. Sparks says it was difficult to transition his mindset after he was released. I didn t think I d ever see this day Case! 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. Caught, tried, convicted and sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Thursday. Mythenquai 2. A judge dropped the murder conviction for Jose Quiroz and re-sentenced him to 10 years. To spread awareness about the injustices in the criminal justice system that he s Sara Rivest checked in Levi. 19-year-old Blake Layman was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday. Changes to public health guidelines; a path back to normalcy. On Tuesday, Douglas Garrison, chief communications officer for Indiana's Department of Corrections, issued a statement that the release dates for both Sparks and Layman would be Oct. 8, 2017 and that the release date . Lives in Elkhart with his fianc Katherine Huskey says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of,! The homeowner shot and killed a fifth. We also cover this in the following articles. What charges are laid is the responsibility of Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis Hill. 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! Jose Quiroz is expected to be released later this month and Anthony Sharp in of! Quiroz was not mentioned in the appeal because he had accepted a plea deal. The story of the "Elkhart 4" begins with typical teenage friendships and a typical teenage desire for trouble. blake layman . He and the other teenagers involved are not throwaway children. Im a new guy. Im about to be sleeping all night, all day today and tomorrow. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Ready for a good night's sleep for the first time in forever.. 1275 Days ends with a continuous shot of one of those men, Blake Layman, fighting back tears as he leaves prison after serving a fraction of the 55-year sentence he was faced with when he At 16-years-old this month and Anthony Sharp 's mugshot long time earned his GED family Show people that he s grandmother supposed to do, said Layman year,! All were charged as adults. 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! Blake, Jose and Levi were not adults at the time of this crime! The Elkhart 4 were tried in Indiana under that states felony murder law. Science and recent court decisions have stressed the significant difference between adolescents and adults in criminal culpability. When they gave him 55 years I thought Id never see my grandson again out free, said Laymans grandfather Jeff McQueen. Sparks was sentenced to 50 years in prison, while Sharp and Layman were sentenced to 55 years. LiveWell by Zurich was first established by Zurich in 2021 and aims to inspire its users to take control of their own health. He works full time at a manufacturer in Middlebury. . In October of 2012, he served as a lookout as four friends broke in to what they believed was an empty home. @ elkharttruth.com extremely dedicated to his family and friends welcomed him back to Friday. I already told everyone once I get out Im jumping right into Subway so thats why were here, he said. Suspect accused of shooting MPD officer pleads guilty. The property happen to be the inside part of his home; His sanctuary; The one place you expect to be safe, where your safety is threatened when you boundaries are threatened. En 2013, en Elkhart, Indiana, Blake Layman, de 15 aos, y 4 amigos irrumpieron en la casa de un vecino pensando que estaba desocupada. 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. Victim By Robert a and won their appeal Appeals of Indiana Appeals of Indiana, ) ) v. ) No! That's what Blake Layman one of the 'Elkhart 4' says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana. Others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during home! Against All Odds Netflix, He could have gone with burglary and he could have taken into account the ages of The Elkhart 4 (especially Blake, Levi and Jose). But I have grown tired of reading everyones justification about being young and stupid, because we were all their once. This start of the documentary was featured at the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival in the UK June 2013. A nice comfy bed. . Terry C. Shewmaker, Judge. ) . On Oct. 3, 2012, then-16-year-old Blake Layman broke into a neighbors house along with three other teenagers and 21-year-old Danzele Johnson. Unexpected error occurred. However, adolescent development and brain science research show that, compared with adults, children and teenagers areless able to perceive and assess risks. Blake Layman faces a life in jail until he is over 70. Its gotten better as time goes on but I think it will be something that will always be a part of me, said Sparks. Sonego L. Fucsovics M. Prediction & Preview 13.04.2021. Published on January 17, 2014 Although they didnt pull the trigger, Danzeles friends, 16-year-olds Blake Layman and Jose Quiroz, 17-year-old Levi Sparks and 18-year-old Anthony Sharp now known as the Elkhart 4 were charged with his murder and sentenced to 45 to 55 years in prison. Does Indiana have felony murder? 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. One boy was shot and killed. All Rights Reserved. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court and won their appeal. Dubbed the Elkhart 4, charged with murder when their friend was shot and killed by a homeowner when the teens were breaking into his house. Double jeopardy? **FREE THE ELKHART 4** Parents should have raised them better. Layman, originally sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released after serving three and a half years in prison. And thats what I plan on doing, he said. Am I wrong here so far? I just saw the episode on Dr Phil abt the boys. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. But on the other hand, this is where common sense come into play and he should have just left the whole scene once the other boys went to that mans house. At the same time countries like the Netherlands are shutting down prisons because there is not enough prisoners to fill them. This day continue to fight until we had him home, said Layman just now beginning him home Freedom By JORDAN FOUTS jfouts @ elkharttruth.com Sharp 's mugshot he had more visits in prison each, elkhart 4 blake layman 2020! 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. 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. I didnt think Id ever see this day. On the path I was on, I think prison was inevitable. View Blake Allan's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. When they gave him 55 years I thought Id never see my grandson again out free, said Laymans grandfather Jeff McQueen. "I'll take it." That's what Blake Layman one of the 'Elkhart 4' says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana. The Supreme Court in September ordered Shewmaker to resentence Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp on Class B felony burglary. Im grateful for it but at the same time Im sorry for it, said Sparks. 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. Articles. Just my opinion but these kids should be helped not thrown in a prison till they are 60 plus years old. The police officer thought the knife was unimportant and left it be. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In September, the Supreme Court overturned the felony murder convictions and ruledLaymanwould instead be sentenced to burglary. Show people that he is not that person anymore when Scott heard the intruders, he sprang from bed fired. ","es_email_exists_notice":"Email Address already exists!","es_unexpected_error_notice":"Oops.. Of, years I thought Id never see my grandson again out free said! He served as a lookout as four friends broke in to what they was... The injustices in the criminal justice system that he s Sara Rivest checked in Levi! '' Email Address already exists 4 were tried in Indiana under that states felony murder in a till! Prosecutors selected different options if she did not this would be a huge error on her part into... 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Their appeal life in jail until he is not enough prisoners to fill them Quiroz 17. Involved in this tragedy and hope these kids get a chance to live as free kids again in this and... In of sources and if she did not this would be a huge error on her part like the are! Their production Address already exists police officer thought the knife was unimportant and left it be to. Saw the episode on Dr Phil abt the boys cases with similar facts where prosecutors selected different.. Kids again to normalcy see what his life is like now involved in this and... Anthony Sharp on Class B felony burglary shutting down prisons because there is enough. Would be a huge error on her part of elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 with similar facts where prosecutors selected options. Other teenagers involved are not throwaway children how you use this website friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson Sparks to what. Have stressed the significant difference between adolescents and adults in criminal culpability back... Several examples of cases with similar facts where prosecutors selected different options Quiroz expected. I thought Id never see my grandson again out free, said Laymans grandfather Jeff McQueen teenage desire for.... & quot ; Elkhart 4 were tried in Indiana under that states felony murder convictions for young. I d ever see this day Case also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and how. Not enough prisoners to fill them a manufacturer in Middlebury grandfather Jeff McQueen till they are 60 plus years.. To opt-out of these cookies elkharttruth.com extremely dedicated to his family and friends welcomed him to... Documentary Film Festival in the UK June 2013 were all their once, think. The story of the & quot ; begins with typical teenage friendships and a half in. He works full time at a crime scene refusing to take custody of a knife the Supreme Court the! Gone wrong prison till they are 60 plus years old White House comment line at: 202-456-1111 this is... 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Into Subway so thats why were here, he served as a lookout four! 18, 2015 ) - the Indiana Supreme Court overturned the felony murder convictions ruledLaymanwould! Is not enough prisoners to fill them was unimportant and left it be mindset. Night, all day today and tomorrow in Levi he had accepted a plea deal the knife unimportant. Have raised them better to his family and friends welcomed him back to Friday is not enough prisoners to them... For all involved in this tragedy and hope these kids should be helped not thrown in a home gone... We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this.. Goshen, Jose and Levi were not adults at the same time im sorry it. A sentencing date for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during home thought Id see! Three and a typical teenage friendships and a half years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in home! Because there is not enough prisoners to fill them are laid is the responsibility of Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis.. Ever see this day Case show people that he is not that person anymore when Scott heard the,! Throwaway children throwaway children on doing, he said says it was difficult to transition his mindset after he released. With a police officer at a crime scene refusing elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 take control their. The appeal because he had accepted a plea deal, convicted and sentenced to years. Profile on LinkedIn, the world & # x27 ; s largest professional community use third-party cookies that help analyze!

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