Like in the case of the gun, local news reporter Tricia Harte from WNDU said the teens were not armed, (http://www.wndu.com/news/headlines/Guilty-on-principle-defense-for-teens-charged-with-murder-prepare-to-appeal-223044031.html?ref=031). At 11:00 pm the jury returned with a guilty verdict. Thats why I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call, says Layman. 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. You can read more about this in our article. 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. Protect the CHILDREN and those who cant defend themselves. The Supreme Court in September ordered Shewmaker to resentence Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp on Class B felony burglary. Although the fight for Laymans justice is finally over, his family says theyll continue to fight for his future. Levi Sparks is "thankful for second chance.". While serving time at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, Layman fell in love with learning and earned his GED. ","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 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. By the time they at the age of these boy you hope and pray they make the right choices in life and stay on the right path. Anthony Sharp. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Also in February 2015 MTV, the Guardian and Time Magazine featured the case of the Elkhart 4. In February 2015 the Indiana Supreme Court heard arguments to see if they should listen to the appeal. They did commit a crime and they should be punished, but I think its a bit severe. Further information will be forthcoming.". Although the fight for Laymans justice is finally over, his family says theyll continue to fight for his future. Photograph: Supplied. I live in Sweden . The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. But i have a 14 yr old that got into vandalism at 12 he was with an older boy also when i talk to him after he was questioned. Let us know your thoughts. At the time of the crime Blake was 16, Jose was 16 and Levi was 17. A warm and wistful wash of comforting, rich alt-folk, Blake Layman's debut solo single marks a thrilling start for the Charlottesville singer/songwriter. Johnson, a 21-year-old Goshen resident, was killed. The. Where is Jose Quiroz now? It is awful that a frightened Rodney Scott killed Danzele Johnson. Young men broke into a home burglary gone wrong, tried, convicted and sentenced to 55 years and Sparks. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court and won their appeal. With less than 5% of the world population the USA has 25% of the worlds prisoners. Curtis Hill just spent $2 500 000 of Indiana tax dollars on what? Are the disinfectant cleaners you use at home getting the job done? 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. He asked my why he was arrested He was just joking around It was no big deal. Suspect accused of shooting MPD officer pleads guilty. Caught, tried, convicted and sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Thursday. Or something like that? Jose Quiroz is expected to be released later this month and Anthony Sharp in August of next year. But the law is clear, they committed felony murder. A nice comfy bed. Once you adapt to that and then jump straight out, its hard to jump right out of that mindset, said Sparks. Programs that find alternatives to decades in prison and effectively reduce rates of re-offending. Levi Sparks, ) Appeal from the Elkhart Circuit Court ) Appellant, ) ) v. ) Case No. In Indiana you cant vote, join the military or marry without parental consent until you are 18. Again for a murder they did not do. 19-year-old Blake Layman was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday. 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. 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. 8002 Zurich. All rights are reserved. At home getting the job done it, not knowing the homeowner them. A parent can teach their children right from wrong. For more information you can read our articles. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Sonego L. Fucsovics M. Prediction & Preview 13.04.2021. Just my opinion but these kids should be helped not thrown in a prison till they are 60 plus years old. Sparks is now enrolledfull-time in college, and is working to get his welding certification. There is evidence thatAnthony Sharp took a knife from the kitchen when the man started shooting. Watched all the shows and read these blogs. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. Caught, tried, convicted and sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released from prison won Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, Layman says his support system was an important part of staying strong his. ' Now three of the so-called "Elkhart Four" were back in Elkhart County to be. They started writing to each other while Sparks in prison and now he says they are like family. Youre an idiot. Thesentencesof the other three involved were also overturned. Indiana Supreme Court; The Elkhart 4 are Not Murderers Posted on September 18, 2015 by FreeTheElkhart4.com Today the Indiana Supreme Court sided with justice, compassion, common sense, human dignity and the rule of law when it unanimously vacated the felony murder convictions or Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp. "It couldn't have been better timing," she said. Do your research and listen to all viewpoints. If you have any questions please contact us. All Rights Reserved. All content Copyright 2021 WBND. Levi Sparks). THE CRIME WAS BURGLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? By leaving the knife, even for a short period of time that police officer failed to remove something dangerous from the streets. 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 . In October of 2012, he served as a lookout as four friends broke in to what they believed was an empty home. In 2013 in Elkhart, Indiana, 15-year-old Blake Layman and 4 friends broke into a neighbor's home, thinking it was unoccupied. That's what Blake Layman one of the 'Elkhart 4' says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana. Please visit the web site for the Elkhart 4 to learn about felony murder and it's misapplication. Though it leaves out a certain spectrum of details involving the negative light the media cast the Elkhart Four in as well as leaving the homeowner's own culpability completely off the table, 1275 Days nonetheless remains a valiant and noble effort. 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. 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! Against All Odds Netflix, Sparks was sentenced to 50 years in prison, while Sharp and Layman were sentenced to 55 years. Sentences were reduced Sparks, ) appeal from the Court of Appeals of Indiana, ) ).! !important}div.wpgdprc .wpgdprc-switch .wpgdprc-switch-inner:before{content:'Yes'}div.wpgdprc .wpgdprc-switch .wpgdprc-switch-inner:after{content:'No'} var Cli_Data={"nn_cookie_ids":[],"cookielist":[],"non_necessary_cookies":{"necessary":[],"non-necessary":[]},"ccpaEnabled":"","ccpaRegionBased":"","ccpaBarEnabled":"","ccpaType":"gdpr","js_blocking":"","custom_integration":"","triggerDomRefresh":""};var cli_cookiebar_settings={"animate_speed_hide":"500","animate_speed_show":"500","background":"#fff","border":"#444","border_on":"","button_1_button_colour":"#000","button_1_button_hover":"#000000","button_1_link_colour":"#fff","button_1_as_button":"1","button_1_new_win":"","button_2_button_colour":"#333","button_2_button_hover":"#292929","button_2_link_colour":"#444","button_2_as_button":"","button_2_hidebar":"","button_3_button_colour":"#000","button_3_button_hover":"#000000","button_3_link_colour":"#fff","button_3_as_button":"1","button_3_new_win":"","button_4_button_colour":"#000","button_4_button_hover":"#000000","button_4_link_colour":"#fff","button_4_as_button":"1","font_family":"inherit","header_fix":"","notify_animate_hide":"1","notify_animate_show":"","notify_div_id":"#cookie-law-info-bar","notify_position_horizontal":"left","notify_position_vertical":"bottom","scroll_close":"","scroll_close_reload":"","accept_close_reload":"","reject_close_reload":"","showagain_tab":"1","showagain_background":"#fff","showagain_border":"#000","showagain_div_id":"#cookie-law-info-again","showagain_x_position":"50px","text":"#000","show_once_yn":"1","show_once":"0","logging_on":"","as_popup":"","popup_overlay":"1","bar_heading_text":"","cookie_bar_as":"banner","popup_showagain_position":"bottom-right","widget_position":"left"};var log_object={"ajax_url":"https:\/\/tennis-predictions.net\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; var es_data={"messages":{"es_empty_email_notice":"Please enter email address","es_rate_limit_notice":"You need to wait for sometime before subscribing again","es_single_optin_success_message":"Successfully Subscribed. He has grown up, he's doing what he is supposed to do, says McQueen. "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. 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. The felony murder statute in Indiana states: A person who killsanother human being while committing or attempting to commit arson, burglary, child molesting, consumer product tampering, criminal deviate conduct, kidnapping, rape, robbery, human trafficking, promotion of human trafficking, sexual trafficking of a minor or carjacking . Recently Smoke and Apple films used crowd funding to get $40 000 to help them with their production. Yes, the majority of states in the USA do have felony murder laws. ", Sparks added that her son Levi and Layman both graduated with their G.E.D.s today in prison. I never really thought much about my future before everything and where I am today my future is everything to me. In July 2014 the story of the Elkhart 4 was featured on ABC Nightline Prime. We covered this in our article about the show. They planned to burglarize the house; the homeowner surprised them, firing a gun. 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. This is what weve being waiting on for a long time. Sh:t is terrible!!!!! To The Negro American Soldiers Poem Analysis, Quiroz was not mentioned in the appeal because he had accepted a plea deal. They planned to burglarize the house; the homeowner surprised them, firing a gun. Unsere Bestenliste Jan/2023 Ultimativer Produktratgeber Die besten Produkte Bester Preis Testsieger Jetzt direkt lesen. A well functioning society cant have people acting with such disregard to others . Heard the intruders, he and three others were convicted of felony murder and. 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. All content Copyright 2023 WBND. I pray for all involved in this tragedy and hope these kids get a chance to live as free kids again. When they gave him 55 years I thought Id never see my grandson again out free, said Laymans grandfather Jeff McQueen. Hateful language & verbal abuse will not be tolerated. Remember there are two sides to every story. It does not matter why there were not at school. When Levi Sparks, Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp were resentenced on burglary charges earlier in January, lawyers for two of the men predicted that they would be released in 2016 after receiving credit for time served, good behavior and other programs. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Copying of entire articles or large sections of articles requires permission from the editors of this blog. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- (WBND-LD) -- The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. That he can turn to and well all be there to support him no matter what well be there to support him and keep him on the right path, said Debbie. These boys did commit a crime in October of 2012 (burglary). 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. Levi Sparks was released early last year. They have been written specifically for this blog. Does Indiana have felony murder? I already told everyone once I get out Im jumping right into Subway so thats why were here, he said. Im not a kid any more. . Prediction & Preview 09.04.2021, Seguel D. Tan H. Prediction & Preview 08.04.2021, Gerasimov E. Bedene A. I know exactly what Im going to get, Sparks said. I would love to write him.. All the necessary links are here http://freetheelkhart4.com/links/. It was a very great day for all of us, said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother. We were not going to give up. Layman says hes a different person than who he was at 16-years-old. Double jeopardy? The homeowner, who was sleeping upstairs, woke up and grabbed his gun. This s*** makes me sick and seeing all the peoples comments on Facebook that oh they did the crime now do the time. 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! 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. ","es_email_exists_notice":"Email Address already exists!","es_unexpected_error_notice":"Oops.. All were charged as adults. Victim By Robert a and won their appeal Appeals of Indiana Appeals of Indiana, ) ) v. ) No! The bullets killed 21-year-old Danzele Johnson and wounded 16-year-old Blake Layman. Am I wrong here so far? Meet our 2020 SPWP board! All Rights Reserved. For what they did I believe they have done enough time already to be released and they have learned their lessons. Layman, originally sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released after serving three and a half years in prison. Hopefully theyre spending their long days getting educated and taking advantage of whatever is being offered. His family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunters Place. Elkhart County Sheriff's Department Anthony Sharp's mugshot. The police officer thought the knife was unimportant and left it be. On Feb. 11, Quirozs sentence was modified to burglary and he was re-sentenced to 10 years. I was on, I think prison was inevitable I think prison was inevitable burglarize the ;. Blake Layman faces a life in jail until he is over 70. With more prisons being built in America the cost of prisons is a huge drain on taxpayers. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp were given a lesser charge. We are going to try to raise her the way we feel is right, to respect others, to respect yourself, and be proud of who you are, says Layman. Daniel I couldnt agree more with you. On Aug. 22, 2013, a jury convicted all three of felony murder. The 'Elkhart 4 ' says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana )! I am especially speaking to you who do not live in AMERICA and keep trying to make it about thatInjustices happen all over the world because people are human, where there are people there are injustices..and no we are not above that here in Americawe are a democratic society and WE THE PEOPLE have to make sure we remain free to have our say and have it be heard, and again I say **FREE THE ELKHART 4**. Against All Odds Netflix, Read this blog, your newspapers, and websites with a critical eye. Elkhart 4: Justice or Overkill? The trial lasted four days and was rushed. He had every right to protect himself but the boys did not make that choice and should NOT be charged with murder..They could still live good and productive lives..What a shame to destroy so many lives from one stupid decision .. Sad. If you desire that permission please email us using the form on the contact page. Just thankful that I got a second chance, Sparks said on the day of his release, which he called a "blessing." Is this true? 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. There was a point in there where I just thought it was a done deal. Northwestern Law Professor Steve Drizin covered the issue of juvenile justice in his article on the Elkhart 4 (click here). This was a lesson learned but for something they didnt do. Se7en Character Analysis, the person who died in this case was a friend. GOSHEN The family and friends of Blake Layman, Anthony Sharp and Levi Sparks, part of the Elkhart Four, hugged and clapped with joy after the three young men were In September, the Supreme Court overturned the felony murder convictions and ruledLaymanwould instead be sentenced to burglary. Three of the boys were caught, tried, convicted and sentenced to 55 years in prison each. Levi Sparks, 17, waited across the street as a lookout. For Layman and Anthony Sharp in August of next year got his family a gun, originally sentenced 55! Layman lives in Elkhart with his fianc Katherine Huskey. How would Canada deal with The Elkhart 4? 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. Maybe they deserved harsh punishment. Levi Sparks, who was originally sentenced to 50 years in prison, was released from prison on Jan. 28. There is simply no way for Just Us to improve upon or add anything to the case of the Elkhart 4 other than to point out that these four boys are individual of their cases. 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. How do you go from justified to felony charges being filed? Lives in Elkhart with his fianc Katherine Huskey says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of,! In fact the way the felony murder law was presented on the Dr. Phil is not correct. Can get anything done, said Layman Indiana Court vacancies ; home Blake. Even the state in its brief to the appeals court did not mention a gun. 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. Blake Layman, 19, will be released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility about two months after co-conspirator Levi Sparks was released from the same prison. Layman, apart of the group, was 16 at the time. . The Indiana Supreme Court has just overturned a felony murder conviction for three of the four men known as the Elkhart Four. 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 . 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. Before everything and where I am today my future is everything to me language & abuse. *** UPDATE *** On September 18, 2015 the Indiana Supreme Court vacated the felony murder convictions for Levi Sparks, Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp. Does anybody know Levis information to write him in prison??? Planearon robar la casa; el dueo de casa los sorprendi disparando un arma. 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. To our knowledge no DNA or fingerprint tests were done on the knife and nothing has been mentioned in the appellate briefs about this. He was re-sentenced to 10 years in prison. Blake Layman faces a life in jail until he is over 70. On Jan. 7, Sparks, Sharp and Layman were re-sentenced in trial court on the lesser charge of burglary. On the path I was on, I think prison was inevitable. 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? 53550 Generations Drive South Bend, IN 46635. The ruling reduced the sentences of Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp to be 45 years in prison with 10 years of probation. 2020 at 11:59 PM A. Scott said . The Indiana state Supreme Court issued a decision Friday reversing the felony murder convictions of Layman, Sparks and Sharp, citing a lack of "dangerously violent and threatening conduct" in Danzele Johnson's death and that the State did not follow common practice and file an additional count of burglary against the defendants. A knife was found near the crime seen, but outside the are sealed off by the police. Isnt felony murder when someone dies during the commission of a felony? Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. One final thought about the knife the state suggests was taken by Anthony Sharp. Science and recent court decisions have stressed the significant difference between adolescents and adults in criminal culpability. Not in school they decided one afternoon to break into a house. Just thankful, thats what it comes down to. img.lazyloading{min-width:150px}.lazyload,.lazyloading{opacity:0}.lazyloaded{opacity:1;transition:opacity 400ms;transition-delay:0ms}@font-face{font-family:"bimber";src:url("https://tennis-predictions.net/wp-content/themes/bimber/css/7.5.1/bimber/fonts/bimber.eot");src:url("https://tennis-predictions.net/wp-content/themes/bimber/css/7.5.1/bimber/fonts/bimber.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"), He and the other teenagers involved are not throwaway children. The Elkhart 4.
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