On October 20th, 2020, Blake Layman was sentenced to 55 years in prison after being convicted of felony murder in a home invasion gone wrong. Though he did not pull the trigger in the shooting death of 21-year-old Danzele Johnson, it was ruled that he was still legally responsible for the crime. Layman and four other men had broken into an Elkhart, Indiana home in 2012, loking for cash.
The case of the ‘Elkhart Four’ gained international attention when all four were convicted of Johnson’s shooting death. However, five years later in 2017, the Indiana Supreme Court threw out the felony murder convictions for all four men after deeming them unconstitutional.
Layman has since moved on with his life and is now living in Portage, Michigan with his girlfriend Jamie and her son Kyan. He told The South Bend Tribune that he is working hard to turn his life around despite the consequences of his past mistakes. “I’m a new guy. I’m not a kid any more,” said Sparks. “I’m doing what I need to do to be successful in life and that’s what it comes down to.”
His story shows how even though one may have committed serious crimes in their past, they still have a chance to turn their life around and be successful once again if they put forth the effort needed to do so. It is important for those who have been incarcerated or are facing incarceration to know that even if they make mistakes, there is always hope for a better future ahead of them if they take responsibility for their actions and show determination.
Tracking Blake’s Move to Elkhart 4
Blake Layman is currently serving his sentence at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, Indiana. He was transferred there after he was sentenced to 55 years in prison for felony murder in Elkhart County. The facility is a medium-security prison that houses male offenders from across the state of Indiana. Layman will remain at this facility until his sentence is complete or until he is granted parole.
Source: visitelkhartcounty.com
The Release of the Elkhart 4
No, not all of the Elkhart 4 were released. Two of the four men, Blake Layman and Levi Sparks, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of burglary resulting in serious bodily injury and were released on probation in 2018. The other two men, Anthony Sharp and Jose Quiroz, had their felony murder convictions overturned by the Indiana Supreme Court in 2019 and were released from prison later that year. However, both Sharp and Quiroz still remain on probation for the burglary charge.
Current Location of Levi Sparks
Levi Sparks is currently living in Portage, Michigan with his girlfriend Jamie and her son Kyan. He moved to the area to pursue success, focusing on his goals for the future. Sparks has embraced his new life in Portage, embracing the opportunities the city has to offer.
The Impact of the Elkhart 4 Case
The Elkhart Four are a group of four young men from Elkhart, Indiana who were charged with felony murder in 2012 after they were accused of breaking into a home with the intent to commit robbery. The fifth member of the group, 21-year-old Danzele Johnson, was fatally shot by the homeowner as he entered the house and was not charged in the incident. The remaining four members—Blake Layman, Levi Sparks, Anthony Sharp and Jose Quiroz—were trid as adults for their alleged involvement in the burglary and each was found guilty by a jury. As a result, all four men were sentenced to between 10 and 45 years in prison for their involvement in Johnson’s death. Despite pleas from family members, legal advocates and community activists that their sentences be reduced due to their ages at the time of the crime (all were under 18) their plea was denied by Indiana’s Supreme Court in 2017.
Age of the Elkhart 4
The Elkhart 4 were all teenagers when they were charged with felony murder in 2012: Blake Layman (then 18), Levi Sparks (then 20), Anthony Sharp (then 20) and Jose Quiroz (then 19). Unfortunately, the crime resulted in the death of their 21-year-old accomplice, Danzele Johnson.
Source: wndu.com
Tracking Blake’s Location 1275 Days Later
Twelve hundred seventy-five days after bing sent to Wabash Correctional Facility, Blake would be located in the same facility. During this time, he would be in the process of serving his 55-year sentence. Depending on the particular sentencing regulations of this facility and any behavioural incentives that Blake may have been eligible for, his exact location within the prison during this time could vary. For example, he may have been able to work in a prison job or participate in an educational program that allowed him access to certain sections of the prison which were otherwise closed off to other inmates.
The Fate of Jose Quiroz
Jose Quiroz was charged with murder, attempted armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, after being offered a plea deal by the prosecution, he changed his plea to guilty and accepted the deal. As part of the deal, Quiroz agreed to testify against his friends in exchange for a 55-year prison sentence. During the trial, Quiroz changed his story multiple times, which resulted in him being labeled as an unreliable witness by the defense. In the end, Quiroz was sentenced to 55 years in prison for his role in the crime.
The Origin of the Name ‘Elkhart’
Elkhart, Indiana is named for the nearby island at the confluence of two rivers, which was known by the Potawatomi word for “elk’s heart.” The island was said to resemble an elk’s heart in shape, and it is from this that Elkhart takes its name. The city itself was founded in 1832 at the junction of Indian trails and has since grown to become a major Midwest city.
Conclusion
Blake Layman has experienced a difficult journey that began with his involvement in a home invasion gone wrong and ended with his release from prison. Despite being convicted of felony murder and sentenced to 55 years in prison, the Indiana Supreme Court overturned the convictions. After spending eight years behind bars, Blake has been able to move on with his life and is now living in Portage, MI with his girlfriend Jamie and her son Kyan. He is trying to rebuild his life and create a better future for himself and thoe he loves. Blake’s story serves as a reminder of how quickly life can change and that, despite the circumstances, we can still find hope in our lives when we work hard to turn them around.
