That's what Blake Layman one of the 'Elkhart 4' says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana. What charges are laid is the responsibility of Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis Hill. Thefive young menbroke into a home to burglarize it, not knowing the homeowner was there and armed. I already told everyone once I get out Im jumping right into Subway so thats why were here, he said. 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"), Levi Sparks, ) Appeal from the Elkhart Circuit Court ) Appellant, ) ) v. ) Case No. supports HTML5 video. I thought I was stuck and just because I lost hope, said Sparks. If the Elkhart 4 serve their minimum sentences it will cost the taxpayers of Indiana at least 3.1 million dollars. "I'll take it." That's what Blake Layman one of the 'Elkhart 4' says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana. I do NOT believe they should have been charged with murder . 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. Presumably she checked her sources and if she did not this would be a huge error on her part. Almost four years ago, Sparks and three other young men known as the Elkhart Four faced prison sentences of 50 or more years in a controversial felony murder case. (LogOut/ Isnt felony murder when someone dies during the commission of a felony? I just saw the episode on Dr Phil abt the boys. 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 . In October of 2012, he served as a lookout as four friends broke in to what they believed was an empty home. ABC News "Nightline" first profiled the "Elkhart Four's" case last year. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The homeowner shot and killed a fifth. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee, Elkhart 4 life after lockup: Levi Sparks one year later. Who I was before, if I wouldve continued to go down that road, I would still be in Elkhart and I would be in prison or I would be dead. Please visit the web site for the Elkhart 4 to learn about felony murder and it's misapplication. The Indiana law clearly states that felony murder occurs when aperson kills someone while committing a felony. Jose Quiroz is expected to be released in late April and Anthony Sharp in August of 2018. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp have all filed appeals. With regard to the homeowner (Rodney Scott) and if the death of Danzele was deemed a justifiable homocide, correct? Layman says hes extremely dedicated to his family and their future. 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? Wet snow, mix and rain arrive Wednesday night, Local pizzeria discusses special pizza occasions . A well functioning society cant have people acting with such disregard to others . Theyve been my backbone the entire time, said Layman. 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. I live in Sweden . Of his friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the Thursday! 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. The homeowner opened fire and Johnson was killed. 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. The ruling reduced the sentences of Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp to be 45 years in prison with 10 years of probation. 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. 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. We are currently awaiting the results of those arguments. We have serious concern with a police officer at a crime scene refusing to take custody of a knife. Levi Sparks). (a.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",n,!1),e.addEventListener("load",n,!1)):(e.attachEvent("onload",n),a.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function(){"complete"===a.readyState&&t.readyCallback()})),(n=t.source||{}).concatemoji?c(n.concatemoji):n.wpemoji&&n.twemoji&&(c(n.twemoji),c(n.wpemoji)))}(window,document,window._wpemojiSettings); img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 Watch your news critically and listen to your elected political leaders critically. They were adolescents. All were charged as adults. 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. 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. *** UPDATE *** On September 18, 2015 the Indiana Supreme Court vacated the felony murder convictions for Levi Sparks, Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp. A few months after his release, he was granted permission to move out of the area. Also, I hope to see these men leading productive, crime-free lives when theyre released. Change). This is senselessit appears they are basically good kids who made a horrible mistake and they have to live w/ that as well.. Sammie I agree with your post, I just watched the 20/20 segment on these kids. Switzerland. 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. The homeowner, Rodney Scott, was not charged with a crime because prosecutors determined he acted in self-defense. The concern is the felony murder charge. Layman and Sharp were both given 55 years. The bullets killed 21-year-old Danzele Johnson and wounded 16-year-old Blake Layman. Do your research and listen to all viewpoints. Again for a murder they did not do. The police officer thought the knife was unimportant and left it be. (LogOut/ En 2013, en Elkhart, Indiana, Blake Layman, de 15 aos, y 4 amigos irrumpieron en la casa de un vecino pensando que estaba desocupada. Huskey and Laymans family would drive four hours to the Carlisle prison every two weeks to see him. They are kids and kids make dumb choices everyday. the person who died in this case was a friend. 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. The trial lasted four days and was rushed. The boys mothers still gather every few months in an effort to draw attention to their sons situation. Last month, wesat down with him for an update. Blake s extremely dedicated to his family and their future says. Layman Comes home 04/04/2016 11:11 am PDT WBND-LD this is what we ve been backbone Welcomed him back to normalcy the Court of Appeals of Indiana in it finally being over . The Indiana Supreme Court has just overturned a felony murder conviction for three of the four men known as the Elkhart Four. I heard The Elkhart 4 had knives. 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. Layman says hes a different person than who he was at 16-years-old. 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. The Elkhart Four are known as Blake Layman, Levi Sparks, Anthony Sharp, and Jose Quiroz. 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. ' All content Copyright 2023 WBND. We were going to fight until we had him home, says Debbie McQueen, Blakes grandmother. Sparks was given nine years and Sharp and Layman were given 10 years. Are the disinfectant cleaners you use at home getting the job done? You can read more about the Indiana felony murder law in our articles: But dont most states have felony murder laws? While serving time at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, Layman fell in love with learning and earned his GED. Unsere Bestenliste Jan/2023 Ultimativer Produktratgeber Die besten Produkte Bester Preis Testsieger Jetzt direkt lesen. It was a very great day for all of us, said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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**. Unsere Bestenliste Jan/2023 - Ultimativer Test Beliebteste Modelle Beste Angebote Smtliche Vergleichssieger JETZT direkt ansehen. He works full time at a manufacturer in Middlebury. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. Their decades-long sentences made the Elkhart Four a cause celebre, garnering national attention. We also cover this in the following articles. Blake Layman was greeted by a large group of family and friends when he left the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday morning. The Elkhart 4 were featured on an episode of the Dr. Phil Show in January 2014. In September, the Supreme Court overturned the felony murder convictions and ruledLaymanwould instead be sentenced to burglary. The Elkhart 4. Just thankful, thats what it comes down to. Is this true? 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. I didn t think I d ever see this day Case! Six weeks ago, they welcomed baby Hadlee. This is where we will tell you their stories, and keep you updated on their cases, as we fight with their Defense Team to get them Justice. This page is intended to spread awareness about the injustices in the criminal justice system. Layman lives in Elkhart with his fianc Katherine Huskey. Any unauthorised use of the content of this blog will not be tolerated. All were charged as adults. Please bet responsibly. With more prisons being built in America the cost of prisons is a huge drain on taxpayers. Specifically read our article. This story was produced with the help of Calamari Productions, which is funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Further information will be forthcoming.". Planearon robar la casa; el dueo de casa los sorprendi disparando un arma. All rights are reserved. ABC 57s Sara Rivest checked in with Levi Sparks to see what his life is like now. We are going throughthe appeals process. Are the disinfectant cleaners you use at home getting the job done? Meet our 2020 SPWP board! They broke into a house and in the process someone was killed. Suzanne C. Short Suzette Olivan, PHR, SHRM-CP Erin Stroud Becky Lamson Audra . 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. This is a blog about giving a voice to those Juveniles that have been and are being abused by our Judicial System. On the final day of the trial the judge refused to let the jury leave until they had reached a verdict. But for the record we have checked and know that at least two of the boys did not have classes that afternoon due to their schedule and early dismissal. In September 2014 the Indiana Court of Appeals issued a ruling. In fact the way the felony murder law was presented on the Dr. Phil is not correct. But the law is clear, they committed felony murder. Was just 16 when he received a 55 year prison sentence for felony murder Layman celebrate! 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. . Click here for Sparks story. They committed a burglary. Levi Sparks was released early last year. Post a comment on the blog (. 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. 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. Quiroz was not mentioned in the appeal because he had accepted a plea deal. A sentencing date for the three men has not been set. Layman, originally sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released after serving three and a half years in prison. Prediction & Preview 09.04.2021, Seguel D. Tan H. Prediction & Preview 08.04.2021, Gerasimov E. Bedene A. 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