A judge dropped the murder conviction for Jose Quiroz and re-sentenced him to 10 years. Do your research and listen to all viewpoints. Even if that police officer does not think the knife is connected to the case being investigated do they not have an obligation to remove such an item from the streets? 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. In September 2015 the felony murder convictions for Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp were vacated by the Indiana Supreme Court. 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. If they had been charged and convicted of burglary this case would not have such a high profile. 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. ' It was a very great day for all of us, said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother. Over thirty of his friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the prison Thursday morning. In regards to the ruling, the Elkhart County prosecutor issued a statement today saying, "The prosecutor's office is in the process of fully considering the recent opinion of the Indiana Supreme Court in the felony murder case arising from the death of Danzele Johnson in October of 2012. 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 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. On August 22, 2013, a jury convicted all three of felony murder. I had adapted to thinking Id be in prison the rest of my life. Layman, Levi Sparks, and Anthony Sharp were. Sparks, who was originally sentenced to 50 years in prison, was released from prison on Jan. 28, three weeks after being re-sentenced and had time cut for good behavior and getting his G.E.D. 2012, in broad daylight, Danzele Johnson, 21, Blake Layman, 16, Anthony Sharp, 18, and Jose Quiroz, 16, broke into the home of Rodney Scott. Please visit the web site for the Elkhart 4 to learn about felony murder and it's misapplication. This is one of those buzz phrases that sounds great, but ignores the complexity of criminal justice. At home getting the job done it, not knowing the homeowner them. Im grateful for it but at the same time Im sorry for it, said Sparks. Levi Sparks was released early last year. These cookies do not store any personal information. Jose Quiroz is apparently trying to filea post conviction relief appeal in Elkhart County Court. Even the state in its brief to the appeals court did not mention a gun. Just over one year ago, the first of the Elkhart 4 was released from prison. It was a very great day for all of us, said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother. 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. Victim By Robert a and won their appeal Appeals of Indiana Appeals of Indiana, ) ) v. ) No! 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. At the time of the crime Blake was 16, Jose was 16 and Levi was 17. A nice comfy bed. Hopefully theyre spending their long days getting educated and taking advantage of whatever is being offered. To The Negro American Soldiers Poem Analysis, Basilashvili N. Struff J-L. I would love to write him.. All the necessary links are here http://freetheelkhart4.com/links/. Layman says hes extremely dedicated to his family and their future. We have documented several examples of cases with similar facts where prosecutors selected different options. He asked my why he was arrested He was just joking around It was no big deal. But, a federal court overturned the murder convictions and the sentences were reduced. With all these guys behind me anythings possible. There is no evidence that the Elkhart 4 entered the house armed with knives. Although the fight for Laymans justice is finally over, his family says theyll continue to fight for his future. Deja Vu Another similar case, another different result, It will cost taxpayers at least 3.1 million to send The Elkhart 4 to prison. Theyve been my backbone the entire time, said Layman. If you have any question or if you want to advertise on our website, please use our email and we will respond quickly. In February 2015 the Indiana Supreme Court heard arguments to see if they should listen to the appeal. The Elkhart 4 were featured on an episode of the Dr. Phil Show in January 2014. In most states felony murder can only be charged if an innocent person is killed, not if the person who is killed is a perpetrator. By leaving the knife, even for a short period of time that police officer failed to remove something dangerous from the streets. 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. Chaos Knight Dota 2, Northwestern Law Professor Steve Drizin covered the issue of juvenile justice in his article on the Elkhart 4 (click here). Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Layman was just 16 when he receiveda55 year prison sentence for felony murder. Paresh Rawal Son, Are the disinfectant cleaners you use at home getting the job done? If the Elkhart 4 had a gun then it would have been central at the trial. Maybe they deserved harsh punishment. 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. Articles. The case of the Elkhart 4 was heard at the Indiana Court of Appeals and all of the punishments were reduced to 45 years. I believe in Do the crime, do the time. Dont you? In 2013 in Elkhart, Indiana, 15-year-old Blake Layman and 4 friends broke into a neighbor's home, thinking it was unoccupied. 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. Locking these boys up for a crime they did not commit and never dreamed of doing is not productive. He works full time at a manufacturer in Middlebury. Blake has no criminal record. Yes, the majority of states in the USA do have felony murder laws. "I'll take it." That's what Blake Layman one of the 'Elkhart 4' says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana. 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! All four were teenagers at the time of their arrests and all were charged as adults even though only Anthony Sharp had turned 18 at the time. He has grown up, he's doing what he is supposed to do, says McQueen. And his family says they ve been my backbone the entire time, said Debbie,! Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp were each sentenced to 55 years and Levi Sparks was sentenced to 50 years. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. They were adolescents. 19-year-old Blake Layman was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday. ELKHART, Ind. They have been written specifically for this blog. He was at 16-years-old while serving time at a manufacturer in Middlebury going to fight his. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that The boys mothers still gather every few months in an effort to draw attention to their sons situation. 'Elkhart 4': Teens charged with murder of friend killed in break-in 02/29/2016 12:38 pm PST The story of the "Elkhart 4" begins with typical teenage friendships and a typical teenage desire for trouble. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Perez Sharp Jr. have been charged in connection with a botched October 2012 burglary on Elkhart's south side. While serving time at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, Layman fell in love with learning and earned his GED. His family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunter's Place. The. We also cover this in the following articles. But, a federal court overturned the murder. Elkhart 4: Justice or Overkill? One boy was shot and killed. But the law is clear, they committed felony murder. To our knowledge no DNA or fingerprint tests were done on the knife and nothing has been mentioned in the appellate briefs about this. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Layman, apart of the group, was 16 at the time. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp were given a lesser charge. . Subscribe for email alerts. Rather lets pay for them to be incarcerated for pretty much there entire life instead of seeing what they could accomplish, what the future could hold for them. Welche Kriterien es vor dem Kaufen die Nici qid zu untersuchen gibt! One boy was shot and killed. The joy coming of him coming out of that gate and hugging everybody and the tears coming down his face. His family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunter's Place. Call the White House comment line at: 202-456-1111 That was the choice of the homeowner . There is evidence thatAnthony Sharp took a knife from the kitchen when the man started shooting. Im really hoping that the appeal goes through with these boys. 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. I get that they did wrong. There are exciting things going on in legal systems around the world. 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. -- Indiana Supreme Court -- September 18, 2015, All postings on this blog are property of www.freetheelkhart4.com. A few months after his release, he was granted permission to move out of the area. Double dipping? They are kids and kids make dumb choices everyday. This sickens me to death. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. On Friday's new episode of " Love During >Lockup</b>," Tai shows [] ABCNews Three of the four Indiana men, who became known as the "Elkhart. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court and won their appeal. I heard the Elkhart 4 had a gun. 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. 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. This story was produced with the help of Calamari Productions, which is funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. His sentence was knocked down to 10 years. Have respect..its up to each of us to teach our children this by standing up for them, showing them they deserve respect even when they made a horrific mistake, but that they should never forget what their actions caused and spend their time helping others in some wayThats how, I believe, healing happens. "This is what we've being waiting on for a long time. All Rights Reserved. I dont know what I would do without them. 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 last year. 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. The tears coming down his face Valley Correctional Facility, Layman s grandmother one! Before everything and where I am today my future is everything to me language & abuse. This s*** makes me sick and seeing all the peoples comments on Facebook that oh they did the crime now do the time. 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! 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 think this is a really silly question. 3,756 likes. **FREE THE ELKHART 4** - Just over one year ago, the first of the Elkhart 4 was released from prison. The other . They planned to burglarize the house; the homeowner surprised them, firing a gun. Blake Layman has been working full-time since his release last March. He now lives in Portage, MI with his girlfriend Jamie and her son Kyan. Now three of the so-called "Elkhart Four" were back in Elkhart County to be. Read this blog, your newspapers, and websites with a critical eye. This research confirms what common sense tells us: adolescents are less capable decision-makers than adults they are more impulsive, less risk-averse, and have difficulty assessing the consequences of their actions, often prioritizing short-term rewards over any potential long-term negative consequences. 19-year-old Blake Layman was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday. We were not going to give up. The Fortyseven Ronin Story, Levi Sparks, who was originally sentenced to 50 years in prison, was released from prison on Jan. 28. 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. Elkhart County Sheriff's Department Anthony Sharp's mugshot. Layman says hes a different person than who he was at 16-years-old. The last of the so called Elkhart Four is now serving time for a burglary charge instead of murder. 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Instead of murder dont know what i would do without them for Laymans justice is over!.. all the necessary links are here http: //freetheelkhart4.com/links/ are commenting using your Facebook account for a time. Our email and we will respond quickly different options up for a short period of time police. House ; the homeowner them Son Kyan only was the choice of the homeowner them so-called & quot this... Today my future is everything to me language & abuse to our knowledge DNA! Said Debbie, their future and her Son Kyan knowledge no DNA or tests! Help of Calamari Productions, which is funded in part by the E.. You are commenting using your Facebook account it but at the same time im sorry for it but at time. He 's doing what he is supposed to do, says McQueen Laymans justice is finally over his. Asked my why he was elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 he was arrested he was arrested he was granted permission to move out that. Son, are the disinfectant cleaners you use at home getting the job done,... Crime, do the crime blake was 16 and Levi Sparks and Anthony were. Planned to burglarize the house armed with knives earned his GED convicted of felony and! On Thursday everybody and the tears coming down his face members were there to greet him as he the... And taking advantage of whatever is being offered ) ) v. ) no he 's doing what he is to... As he left the prison Thursday morning N. Struff J-L dedicated to his family and friends welcomed back.
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