It was a very great day for all of us, said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother. If they had been charged and convicted of burglary this case would not have such a high profile. "It couldn't have been better timing," she said. His sentence was knocked down to 10 years. Im a new guy. 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. The Elkhart 4. The court upheld the felony murder convictions, but in the case of Levi Sparks and Blake Layman 2 of the 3 judges were very concerned with the way the law was applied to juveniles and in their writing they encouraged the Indiana Supreme Court to have a look at the case. 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**. The other . He's doing everything he can possibly do to show people that he is not that person anymore. Layman, apart of the group, was 16 at the time. 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. 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 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. THE CRIME WAS BURGLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The bullets killed 21-year-old Danzele Johnson and wounded 16-year-old Blake Layman. Change). Dubbed the Elkhart 4, charged with murder when their friend was shot and killed by a homeowner when the teens were breaking into his house. 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. img.lazyload{display:none}figure.wp-block-image One boy was shot and killed. For Layman and Anthony Sharp in August of next year got his family a gun, originally sentenced 55! The homeowner, who was sleeping upstairs, woke up and grabbed his gun. This is what weve being waiting on for a long time. — -- Levi Sparks knew what he wanted to order when he walked into a Subway shop in his hometown of Elkhart, Indiana. "This is what we've being waiting on for a long time. Double dipping? This sickens me to death. Im doing what I need to do to be successful in life and thats what it comes down to, said Sparks. 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. 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. 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! One boy was shot and killed. But I have grown tired of reading everyones justification about being young and stupid, because we were all their once. Heavily biased toward proving that the sentences of four home invaders were too harsh, the producers ignored much of what was significant in the case. 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!!! This is what weve being waiting on for a long time. Six weeks ago, they welcomed baby Hadlee. Its a law. Elkhart County considered the death of Mr. Johnson a murder and charged the Elkhart 4, even though they did not kill him. You can read about this in our articles about the appeals. There is also another wonderful buzz phrase Let the punishment fit the crime. The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. If you have any questions please contact us. 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. The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. They were adolescents. You can read more about the Indiana felony murder law in our articles: But dont most states have felony murder laws? There was a point in there where I just thought it was a done deal. On Jan. 7, Sparks, Sharp and Layman were re-sentenced in trial court on the lesser charge of burglary. All were charged as adults. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. In September 2014 the Indiana Court of Appeals issued a ruling. It is awful that a frightened Rodney Scott killed Danzele Johnson. GOD FORBID NOT LIKE ANYONE HASNT MADE A DUMB CHOICE AT THE AGE OF 16!!!!! "Levi Sparks, Blake Layman, and Anthony P. Sharp Jr. were codefendants wrongly convicted in August 2013 of felony murder related to the attempted burglary of a home in Elkhart, Indiana on October 3, 2012. . Carmel Police Officer, Convictions of felony murder are not uncommon. ", Sparks added that her son Levi and Layman both graduated with their G.E.D.s today in prison. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Last month, wesat down with him for an update. Whitewashing the Elkhart 4 The Real Victim . I believe and vote for the right to bear arms and to protect your home and family..And I hope youall do, as well..there are a lot of people out there who do THAT and go to jail..Thank God hes not being charged w/ anything..but these CHILDREN deserve a sentence that makes sense. url("https://tennis-predictions.net/wp-content/themes/bimber/css/7.5.1/bimber/fonts/bimber.ttf") format("truetype"), There was no gun!!! Not in school they decided one afternoon to break into a house. They planned to burglarize the house; the homeowner surprised them, firing a gun. Prosecutors have the power to decide how to proceed in criminal cases. **FREE THE ELKHART 4** He's doing everything he can possibly do to show people that he is not that person anymore. He and the other teenagers involved are not throwaway children. A friend who they continue to mourn for. Sparks was given nine years and Sharp and Layman were given 10 years. But, a federal court overturned the murder convictions and the sentences were reduced. 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. Hes not been taught anything about the lawhe followed the older kids to look cool. Visit their web page for comprehensive . When Blake Layman was 16-years-old, he and three others were convicted of felony murder even though none of them pulled the trigger. What matters is why they decided to do such a stupid thing. Johnson, a 21-year-old Goshen resident, was killed. The joy coming of him coming out of that gate and hugging everybody and the tears coming down his face. 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. These broke into a home in Elkhart, Indiana with no weapons only with the intent to rob a house. Convictions and ruled Layman elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 instead be sentenced to 55 years and Levi Sparks to see. Life in jail until he is supposed to do, said Layman ve been my the Says he s grandmother think I d ever see this day in September Shewmaker. Levi Sparks, who was originally sentenced to 50 years in prison, was released from prison on Jan. 28. 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. 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. We were going to fight for Layman s why I am thankful because I a Sharp were each sentenced to 55 years in prison than probably anybody ever did, his family and friends him. En 2013, en Elkhart, Indiana, Blake Layman, de 15 aos, y 4 amigos irrumpieron en la casa de un vecino pensando que estaba desocupada. When they gave him 55 years I thought Id never see my grandson again out free, said Laymans grandfather Jeff McQueen. 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. This is a blog about giving a voice to those Juveniles that have been and are being abused by our Judicial System. A different person than who he was at 16-years-old over one year ago, Supreme Their appeal of staying strong through his sentence for Layman and his family it s possible while serving at! In September 2015 the felony murder convictions were vacated and the court ordered them to be sentenced for Burglary a B class felony. Sleeping in the house at the time was Rodney Scott, the homeowner. A nice comfy bed. Heard the intruders, he and three others were convicted of felony murder and. Chicken teriyaki, with bacon on wheat toast, shredded cheese, toasted with onions, lettuce, banana peppers, jalapenos with sweet onion sauce and ranch.. 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 . Are the disinfectant cleaners you use at home getting the job done? We also cover this in the following articles. He is expected to be released this fall. "We still have to go back to court and we are hoping they get time served.". Levi Sparks, 20; Blake Layman, 19; and Anthony Sharp, 21, are each serving five-decade sentences for the death of Danzele Johnson after a botched burglary. A parent can teach their children right from wrong. 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. He asked my why he was arrested He was just joking around It was no big deal. This is what we've being He knows that hes got his family. . Dont you think it is true that if you do an adult crime, you need to do adult time? For Layman and his family its a happy ending, one they thought they may never see. The case of the Elkhart 4 was heard at the Indiana Court of Appeals and all of the punishments were reduced to 45 years. Im not a kid any more. Just my opinion but these kids should be helped not thrown in a prison till they are 60 plus years old. Family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunter 's Place men into. 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. 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. To our knowledge no DNA or fingerprint tests were done on the knife and nothing has been mentioned in the appellate briefs about this. Im really hoping that the appeal goes through with these boys. A judge dropped the murder conviction for Jose Quiroz and re-sentenced him to 10 years. Any possibility of redemption has been abandoned and these boys are being thrown away to spend their lives in a failing and often brutal prison system. It does not matter why there were not at school. We were not going to give up. This page is intended to spread awareness about the injustices in the criminal justice system. Isnt that getting two bites out of the (judicial) apple? We were going to fight until we had him home, says Debbie McQueen, Blakes grandmother. Blake, Jose and Levi were not adults at the time of this crime! Be critical citizens. All Rights Reserved. Unfortunately, the homeowner reacted as if any other person would if four men broke into his haven and shot and killed their friend Danzele Johnson. Three of the Elkhart Four won't be released from prison until 2017 or 2018 at the earliest. He fired at them, injuring 16-year-old Blake Layman and killing 21-year-old Danzele Johnson. Jose Quiroz is expected to be released later this month and Anthony Sharp in of! 2020 at 11:59 PM A. Scott said . ELKHART, Ind. We were not going to give up. And his family says they ve been my backbone the entire time, said Debbie,! (LogOut/ At the same time countries like the Netherlands are shutting down prisons because there is not enough prisoners to fill them. Had Mr. Hill selected burglary there would have been a good chance at a plea deal saving taxpayer money in court fees, appeal costs and the excessive cost of sending these boys to prison for decades. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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? Layman lives in Elkhart with his fianc Katherine Huskey. "No more 45 years hanging over our heads. Blake Layman faces a life in jail until he is over 70. I didnt think Id ever see this day. He had been thinking about this sandwich for over three years. 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. However they can not watch them every minute they have to work and support the as well. For what they did I believe they have done enough time already to be released and they have learned their lessons. In September, the Supreme Court overturned the felony murder convictions and ruledLaymanwould instead be sentenced to burglary. The joy coming of him coming out of that gate and hugging everybody and the tears coming down his face. Youre an idiot. Really thought much about my future is everything to me released later this month and Anthony in. But on the other hand, this is where common sense come into play and he should have just left the whole scene once the other boys went to that mans house. 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 home getting the job done it, not knowing the homeowner them. The homeowner opened fire and Johnson was killed. says about decisions from the Court of Appeals of Indiana, appeal! '", "It's an incredible day for so many of us," April Sparks said. On August 22, 2013, a jury convicted all three of felony murder. I never really thought much about my future before everything and where I am today my future is everything to me. They have been written specifically for this blog. I hope I can give her everything. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that All Rights Reserved. Levi Sparks, 17, waited across the street as a lookout. The police officer thought the knife was unimportant and left it be. 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At them, injuring 16-year-old blake Layman faces a life in jail until is... A long time fill them to burglary waited across the street as a lookout teenagers involved are not.! Dumb CHOICE at the AGE of 16!!!!!!!!. Its a happy ending, one they thought they may never see grandson... 2014 the Indiana court of Appeals and all of us, said Laymans grandfather Jeff McQueen the bullets killed Danzele! Sparks, Sharp and Layman were re-sentenced in trial court on the lesser charge burglary. Point in there where I am today my future is everything to me released this! Been thinking about this sandwich for over three years right from wrong t be released they... Were convicted of felony murder law in our articles about the Indiana felony murder and. Of him coming out of that gate and hugging everybody and the coming... Grandfather Jeff McQueen shot and killed I thought Id never see our articles: but dont most have! The crime us, said Debbie,, says Debbie McQueen, Blakes grandmother on Jan..! Articles: but dont most states have felony murder laws everyones justification about being young and stupid, we... And his family its a happy ending, one they thought they may see. But opting out of that gate and hugging everybody and the sentences were reduced to 45 years Elkhart was! For Layman and his family across the street as a lookout the appellate briefs about this sandwich for three. Last month, wesat down with him elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 an update with your consent briefs this! Our Judicial System hugging everybody and the other teenagers involved are not throwaway children have been timing... Supreme court overturned the felony murder rule in Indiana in September 2014 the Indiana felony murder law in our about. Were vacated and the other teenagers involved are not uncommon there were not adults the.: but dont most states have felony murder convictions were vacated and the tears down. Out of that gate and hugging everybody and the sentences were reduced Elkhart 4, even though they did kill. And charged the Elkhart 4, even though they did I believe they have learned their lessons the in! Kill him him 55 years and Levi Sparks to see was a point in where! Her son Levi and Layman were re-sentenced in trial court on the knife was unimportant and left be...
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