After a botched home invasion, 15-year-old Blake finds himself facing a virtual life prison sentence for Felony Murder. With the unwavering support of his single mother and teenage girlfriend, a David-and-Goliath uphill battle ensues in Elkhart, Indiana. They take on the system in hopes of a second chance.
In October of 2012, five friends, including 16-year-old Blake Layman, attempted to rob a home. After breaking in they were faced with gunshots; one hitting Blake in the leg and the other hitting his friend Denzel in the chest, ultimately killing him. While Blake escaped into a closet, the owner phoned 911 to report the crime. When police arrived the boys were arrested and charged with felony murder. This documentary takes you on a 3-year journey through the aftermath of a terrible decision that would change their lives forever.
Sentenced to 55 years in prison, Blake’s family takes to social media in an attempt to gain support to appeal the case, feeling her son’s prison term was unjust. As I watched, I wondered how it was possible to be charged with a murder you didn’t commit, while the person who actually pulled the trigger, made the call to the police. In the state of Indiana, if you are involved in a felony where someone dies, you will be charged with murder. The state’s intense law sends a message to anyone everyone thinking of getting involved in a crime that if there is a death, they will be charged with murder whether they pulled the trigger or not.
As many people from the community support the family’s fight to get the court to appeal the case, there are many who think the boys deserve the maximum sentence. The family’s personal lives begin to diminish as they struggle financially to pay their bills, attorney, and take care of Blake’s needs behind bars. The court eventually appeals the felony murder convictions and the sentence is reduced from 55 years to 45 years. Dissatisfied with the results, petitions get filed to have the case transferred to the supreme court.
Peacefully serving his time with no complaints of violence or torture from inmates, Blake does seem to be remorseful about the robbery. He feels that he should be charged with breaking and entering at the most but not murder. As he graduates with his GED behind bars, the family delivers the news that the supreme court overturned the conviction leaving him with 10 years to serve. Blake’s remaining time also gets reduced due to exceptional behavior and time already served; Blake is set free.
This documentary was done well, it definitely is on the lighter side of stories of this kind. I can’t stop thinking about all the cases where teens, especially black young males who are arrested for crimes they not only didn’t commit but weren’t even at the scene, and still sentenced to serve time in maximum security prisons as adults. The Central Park 5 comes to mind, as those very young boys spent hard time without anyone showing compassion even when they were found innocent and released many years later. All I can think about is the word privilege when it comes to cases like this. It does, however, leave you wondering about the laws concerning teens when they commit specific crimes, should they get a pass? Also, on what grounds did the judge make their decision and if Denzel had lived, would he have gotten the same?
“1275 Days” recently had its New York City Premiere at the 2019 DOC NYC
