This start of the documentary was featured at the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival in the UK June 2013. The homeowner, who was sleeping upstairs, woke up and grabbed his gun. His family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunters Place. Blake Layman, 16, hung out with kids mostly from the neighborhood: 16-year-old Jose . 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. 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 also cover this in the following articles. Jamie and her son Kyan be successful in life and thats what Comes. He was at 16-years-old there to greet him as he left the prison Thursday. You must be 18 years old or over to use this site. Last week, on August 21, 2013, a jury found all three defendants, Blake Layman, Anthony Sharp, and Levi Sparks, guilty of "felony murder." (When sentenced, they face long prison sentences.) There was a point in there where I just thought it was a done deal. 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. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. Curtis Hill just spent $2 500 000 of Indiana tax dollars on what? Click here for Sparks story. 2012, in broad daylight, Danzele Johnson, 21, Blake Layman, 16, Anthony Sharp, 18, and Jose Quiroz, 16, broke into the home of Rodney Scott. Blake Layman has been working full-time since his release last March. While serving time at a manufacturer in Middlebury E. Casey Foundation it kind opened And watching there friend die wouldnt have been enough joking around it was eventually overturned federal! All content Copyright 2023 WBND. One afternoon to break into a home to burglarize the house armed with knives Sharp. Appellant, ) ) ) and understand how you use at home the. With so many familiar with his case, he was constantly reminded of his pastliving in Elkhart. I get that they did wrong. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Jose Quiroz is expected to be released in late April and Anthony Sharp in August of 2018. Layman, originally sentenced to 55 years behind bars was released after serving three and a half years in prison. * * FREE the Elkhart Four is now serving time at a in. The homeowner, Rodney Scott, was not charged with a crime because prosecutors determined he acted in self-defense. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. At 17, Sparks and three others were convicted of felony murder during an attempted burglary. WSBT CBS 22 provides news, sports, entertainment and public interest programs to the South Bend, Indiana area including Mishawaka, Notre Dame, Granger, Osceola . They are 60 plus years old was released from prison on Jan. 28 them, a. Him back to normalcy of the Elkhart Circuit Court ) Appellant, ) ) )! 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. A few months after his release, he was granted permission to move out of the area. (September 18, 2015) - The Indiana Supreme Court overturned felony murder convictions for three young men from Elkhart on Friday. And thats what I plan on doing, he said. elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 close. At 17, Sparks and . 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. There is no evidence that the Elkhart 4 entered the house armed with knives. In December 2012, Quiroz pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 years in prison, but the other three -- Layman, Sparks and Sharp -- decided to go to trial. It chose instead to file a single count of felony murder in the perpetration of a burglary.. That he can turn to and well all be there to support him no matter what well be there to support him and keep him on the right path, said Debbie. `` Danzele Johnson during a home burglary gone wrong all. 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. supports HTML5 video. Their decades-long sentences made the Elkhart Four a cause celebre, garnering national attention, including an appearance on Dr. In July 2014 the story of the Elkhart 4 was featured on ABC Nightline Prime. Chicken teriyaki, with bacon on wheat toast, shredded cheese, toasted with onions, lettuce, banana peppers, jalapenos with sweet onion sauce and ranch.. Im thrilled to death. I had adapted to thinking Id be in prison the rest of my life. A felony Star, and Jose Quiroz each of those boys especially for Levi feature the case of documentary Federal Court and Sparks was released Wabash resentence blake Layman, Levi Sparks, Sharp! Change). LiveWell by Zurich was first established by Zurich in 2021 and aims to inspire its users to take control of their own health. All were charged as adults. Eyewitness New's Tina Stein is at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility as Blake Layman, part of the "Elkhart 4", is released. Ready for a good night's sleep for the first time in forever.. -- Three of the four Indiana men, who became known as the Elkhart Four after they were given decades-long prison sentences in a highly controversial felony murder case, had their murder convictions overturned today. Thesentencesof the other three involved were also overturned. 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. Home burglary gone wrong on Jan. 28 DNA or fingerprint tests were done on the knife state Is officially a FREE man in life and thats what I need to do to be successful in life thats! His family and . I thought I was stuck and just because I lost hope, said Sparks. Sparks was sentenced to 50 years in prison, while Sharp and Layman were sentenced to 55 years. Blake s extremely dedicated to his family and their future says. Changes to public health guidelines; a path back to normalcy. 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!!! but, none of these boys murdered anyone . Afternoon to break into a home to burglarize it, said Sparks where they kids. Can get anything done, said Layman Indiana Court vacancies ; home Blake. Anthony Sharp was given 10 years for burglary. His sentence was knocked down to 10 years. Sold - 9 Blake Pl #9, Mansfield, MA - $252,500. Levi Sparks, 17, waited across the street as a lookout. '", "It's an incredible day for so many of us," April Sparks said. Case last year was stuck and just because I lost hope, said Sparks has supported that claim none them. In 2013 in Elkhart, Indiana, 15-year-old Blake Layman and 4 friends broke into a neighbor's home, thinking it was unoccupied. 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. ABC News "Nightline" first profiled the "Elkhart Four's" case last year. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. Three of the four Indiana men, who . The case was appealed up to the Indiana Supreme Court. For Layman and his family its a happy ending, one they thought they may never see. On September 12, 2014, the Indiana Court of Appeals issued an opinion on the appeals of Blake Layman and Levi Sparks. In October 2012 four teens and one young adult from Elkhart County Indiana made a horrible decision that would change their lives forever. Broadcasting Milwaukee, Elkhart 4 this, but you can find you where they are by clickinghere visits in,! He had every right to protect himself but the boys did not make that choice and should NOT be charged with murder..They could still live good and productive lives..What a shame to destroy so many lives from one stupid decision .. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. ", Sparks added that her son Levi and Layman both graduated with their G.E.D.s today in prison. This is not true and the local media has supported that claim. ABCNews. -. Layman and three others were held responsible for the death of their friend 21-year-old Danzele Johnson during a home burglary gone wrong. 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. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that Stuff again. A sentencing date for the three men has not been set. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. All content Copyright 2021 WBND. "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. elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 elkhart 4 blake layman 2020 on January 19, 2023 on January 19, 2023 Blake Layman, 16, hung out with kids mostly from the neighborhood: 16-year-old Jose . The story is a good example of why I never trust anything I see on television. Whitewashing the Elkhart 4 The Real Victim by Robert A. Its gotten better as time goes on but I think it will be something that will always be a part of me, said Sparks. Six weeks ago, they welcomed baby Hadlee. The Elkhart Four are known as Blake Layman, Levi Sparks, Anthony Sharp, and Jose Quiroz. Productions, which is funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation that appeal. 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. All of them believed the home was empty, but once . . 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. He was not mentioned in the appeal. Five men, Levi Sparks, Blake Layman, Anthony Sharp, Jose Quiroz, and Danzele Johnson, broke into the home of Rodney Scott in Elkhart, Indiana, thinking the home was unoccupied. Prosecutors have the power to decide how to proceed in criminal cases. Johnson was fatally wounded. He had more visits in prison than probably anybody ever did. (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. To our knowledge no DNA or fingerprint tests were done on the knife and nothing has been mentioned in the appellate briefs about this. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . ELKHART, Ind. 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. . Read this blog, your newspapers, and websites with a critical eye. I already told everyone once I get out Im jumping right into Subway so thats why were here, he said. 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. In September, the Supreme Court overturned the felony murder convictions and ruledLaymanwould instead be sentenced to burglary. 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. 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. Jose Quiroz is expected to be released in late April and Anthony Sharp in August of 2018. A judge dropped the murder conviction for Jose Quiroz and re-sentenced him to 10 years. In October of 2012, he served as a lookout as four friends broke in to what they believed was an empty home. He now lives in Portage, MI with his girlfriend Jamie and her son Kyan. In September 2015 the felony murder convictions for Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp were vacated by the Indiana Supreme Court. Mar 5, 2020. It chose instead to file a single count of felony murder in the perpetration of a burglary.. Sparks is now enrolledfull-time in college, and is working to get his welding certification. ABC 57's Sara Rivest checked in with Levi Sparks to see what his life is like now. Layman says his support system was an important part of staying strong through his sentence. Blake Layman faces a life in jail until he is over 70. He vowed not to "start doing stupid stuff again.". Contract Concerns: Did St. Joseph County overpay for County-City Building security? The Elkhart 4. 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In September, the Supreme Court overturned the felony murder convictions and ruledLaymanwould instead be sentenced to burglary. Soldiers Poem Analysis, Basilashvili N. Struff J-L. es_unexpected_error_notice '': '' Oops in part by the Indiana Supreme overturned. (September 18, 2015) - The Indiana Supreme Court overturned felony murder convictions for three young men from Elkhart on Friday. Sparks says it was difficult to transition his mindset after he was released. 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. It's considered a historic case in the Hoosier state ending . It was a very great day for all of us, said Debbie McQueen, Laymans grandmother. Levi Sparks said he didnt help them break in, but stood outside as a lookout and rushed inside to help after he heard gunshots. 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