Felony Murder and the Teenagers Doing Time for a Murder They Didn’t Commit

46 states abide by a felony murder rule, under which felony murder is generally considered first-degree murder. It means an offender can be imprisoned for a murder that occurred while the crime was being committed, regardless of whether the offender directly caused the death.

This was the nightmarish circumstance of the ‘Elkhart Four’. A group of five unarmed boys broke into a house they falsely believed to be empty with the intention of burglary. Despite one member of the group being shot and killed by the homeowner, the four remaining boys were accused and found guilty of federal murder, originally facing 55 years in prison.

Shot over four years since the sentencing in 2013, ‘1275 Days’ follows the story of Blake and his family. It does not delve into the details of the legislation, but instead chooses to tell the story of a bond of love that endures in the face of adversity. Blake’s inspirational family and girlfriend, Katherine, continue to fight for him and his innocence.

The injustice of the situation is made plain. As viewers, we quickly warm to Blake and are persuaded that he is a good kid. This is proven by his prison situation – he’s housed in a wing where inmates are installed as a reward for good behaviour - and its clear that he has used his time in prison to better himself. 

There is also no denial of the wrong he did commit; the issue is rather the disproportionate punishment. As Katherine’s father highlights, people who have actually killed people are getting less time than these boys. 

My only disappointment is the imbalance of how the story is told. Although moved by the plight faced by his family while they fight for Blake and for justice, I found myself plagued by questions concerning the remaining members of the incident. Where did the homeowner stand in this equation? Did he have sympathy for these boys? A quick Google search reveals how negatively the ‘Elkhart Four’ were portrayed in the wider public eye, which felt glazed over within the film. These aspects are part of the wider fabric of the narrative and I feel would have added another dimension to this otherwise great film.

Nonetheless, this is a crucial film that can raise awareness on an outdated and unfair legislation, particularly when in this case it concerns minors. Let’s hope ‘1275 days’ can support other people like Blake in their admirable fight for justice, and incentivise further conversations about this questionable law.