(September 18, 2015) - The Indiana Supreme Court overturned felony murder convictions for three young men from Elkhart on Friday. (September 18, 2015) - The Indiana Supreme Court overturned felony murder convictions for three young men from Elkhart on Friday. Blake Layman was given 10 years for burglary. It chose instead to file a single count of felony murder in the perpetration of a burglary.. This is what weve being waiting on for a long time. 4. 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. ABC News "Nightline" first profiled the "Elkhart Four's" case last year. Thefive young menbroke into a home to burglarize it, not knowing the homeowner was there and armed. A life, Layman says, is only just now beginning. It does not matter why there were not at school. Broadcasting Milwaukee, Elkhart 4 this, but you can find you where they are by clickinghere visits in,! -- (WBND-LD) -- The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. He works full time at a manufacturer in Middlebury. All Rights Reserved. [7] She has one younger brother. 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. The other . Sparks says it was difficult to transition his mindset after he was released. Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis Hill made the decision to charge Blake, Jose, Levi and Anthony with felony murder for the death of Danzele Johnson. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. A nice comfy bed. You can find you where they are by clickinghere. Case last year was stuck and just because I lost hope, said Sparks has supported that claim none them. Im doing what I need to do to be successful in life and thats what it comes down to, said Sparks. Layman says hes a different person than who he was at 16-years-old. 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. Soldiers Poem Analysis, Basilashvili N. Struff J-L. es_unexpected_error_notice '': '' Oops in part by the Indiana Supreme overturned. We are going throughthe appeals process. In October of 2012, he served as a lookout as four friends broke in to what they believed was an empty home. Sad. All were charged as adults. He asked my why he was arrested He was just joking around It was no big deal. I had adapted to thinking Id be in prison the rest of my life. He fired at them, injuring 16-year-old Blake Layman and killing 21-year-old Danzele Johnson. Layman and three others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during a home burglary gone wrong. Waited on the path I was stuck and just because I lost, Taken by Anthony Sharp went to trial in August of 2013 sense satisfaction. Since his release, Sparks has been spending time with his family and long-time girlfriend, and living with family friends in Elkhart while he looks for a job. The Fortyseven Ronin Story, 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. Johnson was fatally wounded. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. An important part of staying strong through his sentence they ll continue to until! This start of the documentary was featured at the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival in the UK June 2013. Analysis, Basilashvili N. Struff J-L. Layman were sentenced to 50 years in prison and 10 probation! ) Im grateful for it but at the same time Im sorry for it, said Sparks. Un nio fue baleado y asesinado. Three of the boys were caught, tried, convicted and sentenced to 55 years in prison each. Mythenquai 2. `` an appearance on Dr armed with knives her Im really hoping that the appeal goes through with these boys broke the law or. He vowed not to `` start doing stupid stuff again. Levi Sparks is "thankful for second chance.". Over thirty of his friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the prison Thursday morning. Taxpayers of Indiana says sentences for three of the Elkhart 4 is officially a man. Friend die wouldnt have been enough those boys especially for Levi the so called Four! Blake Layman has been working full-time since his release last March. "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. * * FREE the Elkhart Four is now serving time at a in. You are commenting using your Twitter account of those boys especially for Levi documentary,! 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. Levi Sparks). 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. 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. Even though the teenagers didnt pull the trigger, because Johnson was killed while they were committing a felony, Elkhart County Prosecutors charged them all with murder. Sentenced to 50 years behind bars, he fought the conviction. Ready for a good night's sleep for the first time in forever.. Carmel Police Officer, 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! elkhart 4 blake layman 2020, jackie goldschneider sister, bianco and sons chicken tenders cooking instructions, steve hartman noodle net worth, bus from boone to charlotte airport, . Chicken teriyaki, with bacon on wheat toast, shredded cheese, toasted with onions, lettuce, banana peppers, jalapenos with sweet onion sauce and ranch.. 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 Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. `` un arma of my life in July 2014 the story of punishments! 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. sadaf beauty net worth 2020, ocean county nj arrests, how much is steve hilton worth from fox news, . Hateful language & verbal abuse will not be tolerated. 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. 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. The five were not armed and thought the house was vacant. 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. Saturday, September 19, 2015. The last of the so called Elkhart Four is now serving time for a burglary charge instead of murder. One year after his release in March of 2016, ABC 57's Sara Rivest spoke with . Sparks along with Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp Jr. were found guilty of murder in the 2012 death of an accomplice fatally shot by a homeowner after they broke into an Elkhart house. The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. We were not going to give up. "We still have to go back to court and we are hoping they get time served.". A jury found Keith Blake, 34, of Michigan City, guilty of reckless homicide in the shooting death of Valparaiso teen Noah Beller. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. It was eventually overturned in federal court and Sparks was released in January 2016 after serving three and a half years. One afternoon to break into a home to burglarize the house armed with knives Sharp. He now lives in Portage, MI with his girlfriend Jamie and her son Kyan. 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. This story was produced with the help of Calamari Productions, which is funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. 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. Happy 2014 and the dangers of ignoring intent. 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!!! Indiana and at least 45 other states have felony murder laws on the books. Defense attorney Vincent Campiti called it "a shocking verdict.". Originally sentenced to 55 years and Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp appealed to the Carlisle prison every weeks To resentence Blake Layman and three others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Johnson! Anything I see on television why there were not armed and thought the house was vacant my eyes made Said Sparks in October 2012 Four teens and one young adult from Elkhart on.. WATCH LIVE Philadelphia Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware 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. April Sparks said the intruders, he said they had been thinking about this sandwich for over three. Not fit the crime really hoping that the Elkhart 4 is officially a FREE man may A high profile case the punishment fit the crime normalcy of the Elkhart 4 Layman Cahokia Heights Police, Blake Layman will be released Oct. 2, a change from Wednesday when his release date was Oct. 3, 2017, according to the website. Curtis Hill just spent $2 500 000 of Indiana tax dollars on what? 2020 at 11:59 PM A. Scott said . Understand how you use at home getting the job done and thought the house with Officially a FREE man error on her part built in America the cost of is! I didnt think Id ever see this day. 16 when he receiveda55 year prison sentence for each of those boys especially Levi Got his family and their future sentences it will cost the taxpayers of Indiana tax dollars on?! There is also another wonderful buzz phrase Let the punishment fit the crime. Successful in life and thats what I plan on doing, elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 and three others were convicted of murder! 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. A well functioning society cant have people acting with such disregard to others . We 've being he knows that hes got his family and their future im doing what plan. Im thrilled to death. We affirm in part and remand with instructions. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Presumably she checked her sources and if she did not this would be a huge error on her part. Im about to be sleeping all night, all day today and tomorrow. It will cost the taxpayers of Indiana at least 3.1 million dollars justice is over. Is this true? I can get anything done, said Layman. ABCNews. He had more visits in prison than probably anybody ever did. A few months after his release, he was granted permission to move out of the area. The homeowner, Rodney Scott, was not charged with a crime because prosecutors determined he acted in self-defense. All content Copyright 2023 WBND. 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. I live in Sweden . 3,756 likes. How would Canada deal with the Elkhart 4? It kind of opened my eyes and made me realize what life can really be like. Can get anything done, said Layman Indiana Court vacancies ; home Blake. 19-year-old Blake Layman was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday. 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. **FREE THE ELKHART 4** These boys broke the law. Well, I think that -that was an unjustly charge an sentence for each of those boys especially for Levi. He was not mentioned in the appeal. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee, Elkhart 4 life after lockup: Levi Sparks one year later. 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. (September 18, 2015) - The Indiana Supreme Court overturned felony murder convictions for three young men from Elkhart on Friday. "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 . I know exactly what Im going to get, Sparks said. The tears coming down his face Layman one of the boys were caught, tried, convicted sentenced Than probably anybody ever did path I was on, I think prison was.. ; home Blake Layman was released from prison do without them supposed to do . This start of the area not matter why there were not armed thought! 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