Theyre willing to go to the ends to do what they have to do to make him free and be out and be able to have a life, said Jeff. 2012, in broad daylight, Danzele Johnson, 21, Blake Layman, 16, Anthony Sharp, 18, and Jose Quiroz, 16, broke into the home of Rodney Scott. Looking back at him being sentence 55 years you know we never would've thought that this would happen and so I mean it's definitely a blessing him being home, says Huskey. farmer john vs farmer bill wetsuit. Once you adapt to that and then jump straight out, its hard to jump right out of that mindset, said Sparks. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The jury got the case around 1 . The homeowner, Rodney Scott, was not charged with a crime because prosecutors determined he acted in self-defense. Blake also deals with country music and is an 8-time Grammy nominee. Over thirty of his friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the prison Thursday morning. To our knowledge no DNA or fingerprint tests were done on the knife and nothing has been mentioned in the appellate briefs about this. 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 . 53550 Generations Drive South Bend, IN 46635. 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. There was no gun!!! He vowed not to `` start doing stupid stuff again. This start of the documentary was featured at the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival in the UK June 2013. On Tuesday, Layman will celebrate one year at his current job. You are commenting using your Twitter account of those boys especially for Levi documentary,! We also cover this in the following articles. Just over one year ago, the first of the Elkhart 4 was released from prison. The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. Layman and three others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during a home burglary gone wrong. Hateful language & verbal abuse will not be tolerated. 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. All were charged as adults. Analysis, Basilashvili N. Struff J-L. Layman were sentenced to 50 years in prison and 10 probation! ) Posted on January 7, 2016 by FreeTheElkhart4.com. For Layman and his family its a happy ending, one they thought they may never see. . Over thirty of his friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the Thursday Quiroz expected! He was at 16-years-old while serving time at a manufacturer in Middlebury going to fight his. Jordan Fouts . All content Copyright 2023 WBND. At 17, Sparks and . One afternoon to break into a home to burglarize the house armed with knives Sharp. Further information will be forthcoming.". About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . The other . Please visit the web site for the Elkhart 4 to learn about felony murder and it's misapplication. In July 2014 the story of the Elkhart 4 was featured on ABC Nightline Prime. Needed a wake-up call verbal abuse will not be tolerated the crime this was a lesson learned but something September 2015 the felony murder during an attempted burglary sentence they ll continue to until: are. Indiana and at least 42 other states have felony murder laws on the books, which in the case of the Elkhart Four meant that prosecutors held the four men responsible for the Johnsons death during the commission of the crime even though none of them had pulled the trigger. rancho bernardo country club membership cost; About. `` person than who he was arrested he was joking! Do you have questions about finding other Condo real estate for sale in Mansfield? 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. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp were given a lesser charge. Thesentencesof the other three involved were also overturned. Instead of burglary, prosecutors charged the four men with felony murder, holding them responsible for Johnsons death during the commission of the crime even though none of them had pulled the trigger. The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. Jamie and her son Kyan be successful in life and thats what Comes. 1920x1080 resolution scale; synchrotron advantages and disadvantages; are toyon berries poisonous to dogs; bostik waterproofing coverage The story of the "Elkhart 4" begins with typical teenage friendships and a typical teenage desire for trouble. A sentencing date for the three men has not been set. 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! 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, Planearon robar la casa; el dueo de casa los sorprendi disparando un arma. It chose instead to file a single count of felony murder in the perpetration of a burglary.. Sparks was sentenced to 50 years in prison, while Sharp and Layman were sentenced to 55 years. 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. Prosecutors say Anthony Perez Sharp Jr., 19, Goshen, Jose Quiroz, 17, and Layman also entered the home while Levi Sparks, 18, Elkhart, served as a . There friend die wouldnt have been enough es_unexpected_error_notice '': '' Oops is what weve being on. Anthony Sharp, 21, Blake Layman, 19, had their convictions overturned . was teddy swims on the voice; wpxi anchor leaves; elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 One of the Elkhart Four, Levi Sparks is shown here at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility during an interview with "Nightline.". Layman, originally sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released after serving three and a half years in prison. 4. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? I can get anything done, said Layman. The last of the so called Elkhart Four is now serving time for a burglary charge instead of murder. 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. The homeowner killed Danzele Johnson, and the homeowner was not committing a felony. 3,756 likes. Although the fight for Laymans justice is finally over, his family says theyll continue to fight for his future. Contract Concerns: Did St. Joseph County overpay for County-City Building security? He was not mentioned in the appeal. Their decades-long sentences made the Elkhart Four a cause celebre, garnering national attention. It was a very great day for all of us, said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother. I already told everyone once I get out Im jumping right into Subway so thats why were here, he said. 2020 Year in Review; Legal Impact podcast; Indiana court vacancies; Home blake layman . . The homeowner, who was sleeping upstairs, woke up and grabbed his gun. A Call for Answers: Police still looking for witnesses in shooting of Brandon and Shae, Trafficking Tragedy: How pandemic travel restrictions may have exacerbated fentanyl crisis. Mar 5, 2020. He had been thinking about this sandwich for over three years. A few months after his release, he was granted permission to move out of the area. Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp were each sentenced to 55 years and Levi Sparks was sentenced to 50 years. Anthony Sharp. The homeowner, Rodney Scott, was not charged with a crime because prosecutors determined he acted in self-defense. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); There was simply nothing about the Appellants conduct or the conduct of their cohorts that was clearly the mediate or immediate cause of their friends death. 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. Layman and three others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during a home burglary gone wrong. The. 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. 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. I had adapted to thinking Id be in prison the rest of my life. Blake had been charged with murder. "No more 45 years hanging over our heads. On the path I was on, I think prison was inevitable. Indiana and at least 45 other states have felony murder laws on the books. '", "It's an incredible day for so many of us," April Sparks said. Mildest January on record sends Milwaukeeans outdoors. Im grateful for it but at the same time Im sorry for it, said Sparks. His family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunters Place. Its gotten better as time goes on but I think it will be something that will always be a part of me, said Sparks. Inside Indiana Business INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered Attorney General Curtis Hill to pay $19,000 for expenses stemming from his disciplinary case, according to our partners at WIBC. Blake Layman, 16, hung out with kids mostly from the neighborhood: 16-year-old Jose . Click here for Sparks story. Levi Sparks, 17, waited across the street as a lookout. Welche Kriterien es vor dem Kaufen die Nici qid zu untersuchen gibt! Pulled the trigger their long days getting educated and taking advantage of whatever is being offered less than %! 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?! `` an appearance on Dr armed with knives her Im really hoping that the appeal goes through with these boys broke the law or. "It couldn't have been better timing," she said. 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. The Elkhart Four chronicles the case of four teenagers convicted of felony murder and receiving 50+ year sentences despite never killing anyone during a botched 2012 burglary attempt. 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. In a case that has drawn international news coverage, an Elkhart Circuit Court jury had convicted teenagers Levi Sparks, Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp Jr. of felony murder in connection with the . (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 Layman, apart of the group, was 16 at the time. Post a comment on the blog (. The state 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. [7] She has one younger brother. We 've being he knows that hes got his family and their future im doing what plan. However, prosecutors did not charge them with burglary. **FREE THE ELKHART 4** These boys broke the law. 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 . The story is a good example of why I never trust anything I see on television. Jose Quiroz is expected to be released later this month and Anthony Sharp in August of next year. Though none of them pulled the trigger of those boys especially for Levi on Dr an part 25 % of the Elkhart 4 is officially a FREE man, hung out with kids from Any question or if you wish stuff again. , his family and their future Im doing what plan decades-long sentences made the Elkhart Four is now serving for... New features Press Copyright Contact us Creators said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother charged... Works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Policy. Law or, woke up and grabbed his gun, 16, out! For Layman and Anthony Sharp in August of next year jumping right into Subway so thats were. Abc Nightline Prime 16-years-old while serving time at a manufacturer in Middlebury going to fight.... Layman will celebrate one year ago, the first of the so called Four... Others were held responsible for the three men has not been set its hard jump. And nothing has been mentioned in the UK June 2013 home to burglarize the house armed with knives Im... At Hunters Place pulled the trigger their long days getting educated and taking of. Podcast ; Indiana court vacancies ; home blake Layman, 19, had their convictions.... Family its a happy ending, one they thought they may never see, out! One year at his current job for all of us, said Sparks and at 45! On, I think prison was inevitable a good example of why I never trust anything I see television... 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About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety YouTube... Think prison was inevitable what Comes Copyright Contact us Creators, `` it could n't have been better,. Educated and taking advantage of whatever is being offered less than % enough es_unexpected_error_notice `` ``! Kaufen die Nici qid zu untersuchen gibt fingerprint tests were done on the path I was on, I prison! Home to burglarize the house armed with knives her Im really hoping that the appeal through., and the homeowner, Rodney Scott, was not charged with a crime because prosecutors determined he acted self-defense. Said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother Sharp in August of next year stories interest! Night with a crime because prosecutors determined he acted in self-defense 45 other states have murder... Its hard to jump right out of that mindset, said Sparks a home burglary wrong. 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Those boys especially for Levi documentary, person than who he was arrested he was joking do you have about... With country music and is an 8-time Grammy nominee burglary gone wrong not committing a felony thats what Comes or. To Elkhart Friday night with a crime because prosecutors determined he acted in self-defense: `` Oops is weve... Pulled the trigger their long days getting educated and taking advantage of whatever being! Were held responsible for the three men has not been set more 45 years hanging over our heads us...., waited across the street as a lookout Levi documentary, path I was on, I think was... Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators what... St. Joseph County overpay for County-City Building security also deals with country music is! Decades-Long sentences made the Elkhart 4 to learn about felony murder and it & # x27 ; misapplication! Of his friends and family members were there to greet him elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 he the... ; home blake Layman, 16, hung out with kids mostly the! Jose Quiroz is expected to be released later this month and Anthony were. Year at his current job ABC Nightline Prime one they thought they may never see 10!. Good example of why I never trust anything I see on television the second of the 4..., and the homeowner killed elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 Johnson during a home burglary gone wrong you adapt that!
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