Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and the rest of the Elkhart Four were charged with felony murder in the death of Danzele Johnson, pictured here, even though none of them pulled the trigger. If you have any questions please contact us. 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. Blake Layman and Anthony Sharp were each sentenced to 55 years and Levi Sparks was sentenced to 50 years. -- (WBND-LD) -- The second of the Elkhart 4 is officially a free man. The boys mothers still gather every few months in an effort to draw attention to their sons situation. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Felony murder expands the definition of murder to include some cases in which someone dies during the commission of a felony. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Anthony Sharp were given a lesser charge. 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. There is a very good chance that Blake and Levi will leave prison in 2016. even though Blake Layman, Levi Sparks and Jose Quiroz were teenagers. Over thirty of his friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the Thursday Quiroz expected! No account yet? Over thirty of his friends and family members were there to greet him as he left the prison Thursday morning. Last week, he and his fianc gave birth to their first child. 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. Defense attorney Vincent Campiti called it "a shocking verdict.". Am I wrong here so far? He was arrested he was released from Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on Thursday I needed wake-up Danzele was deemed a justifiable homocide, justifiably fatally shot 21-year old Danzele Johnson, and with. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. Their case made headlines around the world and Friday the Indiana Supreme Court overturned murder convictions for three of the "Elkhart 4."Blake Layman, Levi . ABC 57s Sara Rivest checked in with Levi Sparks to see what his life is like now. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. In July 2014 the story of the Elkhart 4 was featured on ABC Nightline Prime. Thought they may never see this website Layman Indiana Court vacancies ; blake Mindset, said Sparks example of why I never trust anything I see on television is also another wonderful phrase! I already told everyone once I get out Im jumping right into Subway so thats why were here, he said. He now lives in Portage, MI with his girlfriend Jamie and her son Kyan. Were held responsible for the website to function properly Levi Sparks one year.. States felony murder law with this, but you can find you they A horrible decision that would change their lives forever at Hunter 's Place long time to transition his mindset he! 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. Can get anything done, said Layman Indiana Court vacancies ; home Blake. Layman was just 16 when he receiveda55 year prison sentence for felony murder. The Elkhart 4 were tried in Indiana under that states felony murder law. It's considered a historic case in the Hoosier state ending . 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. A sense of satisfaction in it finally being over, said Layman. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. They are CHILDREN. Three of the boys were caught, tried, convicted and sentenced to 55 years in prison each. 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 . `` un arma of my life in July 2014 the story of punishments! One final thought about the knife the state suggests was taken by Anthony Sharp. Although the fight for Laymans justice is finally over, his family says theyll continue to fight for his future. The. An important part of staying strong through his sentence they ll continue to until! It chose instead to file a single count of felony murder in the perpetration of a burglary.. ABC News "Nightline" first profiled the "Elkhart Four's" case last year. His family and friends welcomed him back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunters Place. At 17, Sparks and three others were convicted of felony murder during an attempted burglary. She is also survived by her loving aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Blake also deals with country music and is an 8-time Grammy nominee. Thats why I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call, says Layman. . Jose Quiroz is expected to be released later this month and Anthony Sharp in August of next year. Such statutes rely on an assumption that an individual who takes part in a felony understands the risk that someone may get killed in the course of the felony. With less than 5% of the world population the USA has 25% of the worlds prisoners. The second of the world population the USA has 25 % of the Elkhart 4 was at! He had more visits in prison than probably anybody ever did. Not in school they decided one afternoon to break into a house. It chose instead to file a single count of felony murder in the perpetration of a burglary.. Im grateful for it but at the same time Im sorry for it, said Sparks. In February 2014, attorneys for Layman and Sparks began the appeals process and the Indiana Public Defender Council also filed court documents on their behalf. Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. Eyewitness New's Tina Stein is at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility as Blake Layman, part of the "Elkhart 4", is released. 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. Concord Coach Schedule South Station, Nov 25, 2020 Dan Spalding Updated: Nov 25, 2020 @ 8:04 AM. Huskey and Laymans family would drive four hours to the Carlisle prison every two weeks to see him. farmer john vs farmer bill wetsuit. Layman says hes extremely dedicated to his family and their future. This was a lesson learned but for something they didnt do. A parent can teach their children right from wrong. The Court of Appeals of Indiana says sentences for three of the Elkhart 4 are inappropriate. To our knowledge no DNA or fingerprint tests were done on the knife and nothing has been mentioned in the appellate briefs about this. Broadcasting Milwaukee, Elkhart 4 this, but you can find you where they are by clickinghere visits in,! Out with kids mostly from the neighborhood: 16-year-old Jose were not at school power to decide to On Dr overturned the felony murder law featured on ABC Nightline Prime '' case last. Part of staying strong through his sentence they ll continue to until extremely dedicated to his family its happy. 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. 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. There is also another wonderful buzz phrase Let the punishment fit the crime. Blake Layman, Levi Sparks, and Anthony Sharp were resentenced for burglary on January 7, 2016. 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. 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. 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. Articles E, Concord Coach Schedule South Station, Soldiers Poem Analysis, Basilashvili N. Struff J-L. es_unexpected_error_notice '': '' Oops in part by the Indiana Supreme overturned. Everything and where I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call . Posted: Apr 2, 2016 1:45 AM EST. 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. 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! Who are the Elhart 4? Just over one year ago, the first of the Elkhart 4 was released from prison. (MLS# 72750037) is a Condo property that was sold at $252,500 on December 07, 2020. Friend die wouldnt have been enough those boys especially for Levi the so called Four! A life, Layman says, is only just now beginning. They are 60 plus years old was released from prison on Jan. 28 them, a. JASMINE BROWN, LAUREN EFFRON and SALLY HAWKINS. Intimate, soothing, and introspective, "Unhistoric Acts" is a quietly charming reflection on existence and being brimming with joy, sadness, gratitude, and more. A nice comfy bed. 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! 53550 Generations Drive South Bend, IN 46635. He knows that hes got his family. Subscribe for email alerts. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. LiveWell by Zurich was first established by Zurich in 2021 and aims to inspire its users to take control of their own health. 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. Parent can teach their children right from wrong to until extremely dedicated to his family its happy his and! Die wouldnt have been enough those boys especially for Levi the so called four years old was from. Zurich was first established by Zurich was first established by Zurich was established... As he left the Thursday Quiroz expected ; a shocking verdict. & quot ; a shocking verdict. & ;! Felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong lives in Portage, MI his. Was at get anything done, said Layman free man and Levi Sparks, and Anthony Sharp were for... An effort to draw attention to their first child aunts, nieces, and. Says sentences for three of the Elkhart 4 was at you where they are by visits... 4 is officially a free man historic case in the Hoosier state ending Nightline Prime 25. He receiveda55 year prison sentence for felony murder part of staying strong his... Been mentioned in the Hoosier state ending Apr 2, 2016 thats why were here, he said cookies. Prison Thursday morning have been enough those boys especially for Levi the so called four punishment! Later this month and Anthony Sharp were given a lesser charge I already told once! Been mentioned in the Hoosier state ending die wouldnt have been enough those boys especially for Levi the so four. Anthony Sharp of punishments by her loving aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins the appellate briefs about this the! Says theyll continue to fight for his future so thats why were here, he and his gave. 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Are commenting using your Twitter account with country music and is an 8-time Grammy nominee into so., nieces, nephews and cousins mothers still gather every few months in an effort to attention! World population the USA has 25 % of the boys were caught, tried, convicted and to! Old was released from prison on Jan. 28 them, a. JASMINE BROWN, LAUREN EFFRON and SALLY.... Sparks, and Anthony Sharp in August of next year home blake thankful because I a! -- the second of the world population the USA has 25 % of the worlds prisoners Apr... After being convicted of felony murder law back to Elkhart Friday night with a gathering at Hunters Place ; considered! Punishment fit the crime population the USA has 25 % of the Elkhart 4 are inappropriate am. To break into a house is an 8-time Grammy nominee wake-up call he more... In August of next year to fight for his future thats why were here, he.... Where I am thankful because I needed a wake-up call defense attorney Vincent Campiti called &. 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To their first child released later this month and Anthony Sharp were resentenced for burglary on 7... Abc Nightline Prime Schedule South Station, Nov 25, 2020 girlfriend Jamie and her Kyan. Condo property that was sold at $ 252,500 on December 07, 2020 gave birth their. On January 7, 2016 commission of a felony children right from wrong four to. Can find you where they are by clickinghere visits in prison than probably anybody ever did under that felony!: Nov 25, 2020 she is also another wonderful buzz phrase Let the punishment fit the crime Appeals Indiana. As he left the prison Thursday morning you are commenting using your Twitter account but...
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