They thought the house was empty. None of the teens expected an armed homeowner to be inside. None of them was armed. None foresaw a shooting. But the homeowner, who was sleeping upstairs, did rush downstairs and did fire a handgun — killing one of the teens.

And all four of the surviving teens were charged and convicted for the death. Levi Sparks, now 20; Jose Quiroz Jr., 19; Blake Layman, 18; and Anthony Sharp Jr., 20, are each serving a five-decade sentence in the Indiana Department of Correction.

They may not have pulled the trigger. But, as far as the law is concerned, the rash decision to try to score some cash turned them into murderers.

The story of the Elkhart Four — as they have come to be known — brings attention to a decades-old controversial and highly criticized, but widely used, doctrine of criminal law.

Under Indiana's felony murder statute, a person can be charged with murder if someone is killed while he or she is committing or attempting to commit another crime. That crime could be arson, burglary, robbery, carjacking, human trafficking, sexual trafficking, or sex and drug crimes — acts that the law considers inherently dangerous.

Felony murder carries the same penalty as murder, but unlike a murder charge, in which intent to kill must be proven, a person can be convicted of felony murder even if the death is accidental or unintended.

The Ohio state Senate on Monday began consideration of budget legislation designed to overrule local judges who have been blocking minor restrictions on the use of photo enforcement in the state. Under a law that was supposed to take effect in March, a police officer must sit near a red light camera or speed camera for a photo ticket to be valid (view bill). This requirement makes it more expensive for the private companies that run camera programs, sparking lawsuits from upset city officials.

The most recent ruling came Monday from Lucas County, Ohio Common Pleas Judge Dean Mandros, who entered his final ruling exempting the city of Toledo from following the statutory requirement. The city argued the state law would deprive the city of revenue, and the judge agreed that this was an important concern.

"This court further finds that the public interest will be served by granting the requested injunction," Judge Mandros wrote on Monday. "Permitting the continued use of these traffic control devices allows the city of Toledo to dedicate and direct its limited manpower to other areas related to public safety concerns."

A handful of other local judges have similarly ruled that elected state lawmakers should have no say in whether or how a city uses automated ticketing machines because that would limit municipal home rule authority. Toledo had previously acted to ensure that residents had no say in the matter, either. In 2009, the city blocked an effort to put the use of cameras to a public vote.

Upset at being defied, House lawmakers passed the state budget with language that would bypass the efforts of local judges to protect localities and ensure compliance with state law. Under the measure, any city that operated a speed camera or red light camera after March 23 would have to file a report with the state auditor.

"If the local authority operated any traffic law photo-monitoring device without fully complying with sections 4511.092 to 4511.0914 of the Revised Code, the local authority shall file a report that includes a detailed statement of the civil fines the local authority has billed to drivers for any violation of any municipal ordinance that is based upon evidence recorded by a traffic law photo-monitoring device, including the gross amount of fines that have been billed," House Bill 64 states.

Cities that fail to comply would have their share of state funding reduced by the amount of money collected. The provision is attached to the 3215-page budget bill which must pass for the state government to function. If agreed to by the state Senate, the bill will become law with the signature of Governor John Kasich (R), who has already expressed his support for photo ticketing restrictions by signing the original limitations into law.

A Knox County deputy is now being investigated after he fatally assaulted 33-year old David Dehmann on April 21. Dehmann was autistic and had Tourette’s Syndrome, and was well-known by the local law enforcement.

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According to the team responsible for his death:

“While Dehmann was in the jail’s intake area he became aggressive with the jail staff making an aggressive move towards Deputy [Chase] Wright. Mr. Dehmann did attempt to hit Dep. Wright in the face, causing Dep. Wright to place Mr. Dehmann into a takedown hold, taking him to the ground to get control of him. Once control was gained, it was found that Mr. Dehmann had hit his head on the floor during the incident. Mr. Dehmann was transported to KCH ER by Mount Vernon medics for a medical evaluation.”

Deputy Chase Wright smashed a mentally-disabled man’s skull into the ground, killing him.

David Dehmann, the victim’s father, said, “I’d like to know, I want to know what happened when my boy’s head hit that concrete. I want to know what happened.” The family is awaiting the results of an autopsy, and the incident is being investigated by The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Unfortunately, since police have such an extensive history of lying about the murders they commit, it’s easy to be highly skeptical of the narrative put out by the people responsible for this man’s death. It’s possible that the autistic 33-year-old was not easy to manage, but the department was well-aware of the man’s conditions and should have responded accordingly. There is surveillance footage of the incident, but authorities have stated that it will not be released. Not shocking, as police departments tend to avoid incriminating themselves.

David Dehmann’s was the father of a 5-year old little girl, leaving her parentless as her mother also died this year.

Alarming Facts of this Case:

1. Former Lynden Police Officer Don Glunt, aged 57, was busted for child pornography possession while he was still employed with the Lynden Police Department.

2. The Lynden Police Officer had child pornography, pictures of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his work-issued cell phone.

3. Lynden Police Officer Don Glunt exchanged over 155 text messages in a single shift with his victim, confirmed to be an underage child by Texas Law enforcement.

4. Lynden Police Officer Don Glunt immediately lied when questioned saying that he thought his victim was older than she was.

5. The Police Officer Don Glunt had thousands of images of sexually exploited children on his laptop - he claimed they were for his work with a human trafficking program called Hope4Justice and Not For Sale.

6. It's very common for child predators to volunteer or position themselves in positions of authority and trust, abusing them, as Glunt did. Predators like Glunt, it is a known fact, specifically seek out positions like his in Hope 4 Justice to gain predatory access to vulnerable children for grooming purposes.

7. When confronted during investigation, Glunt asked to delete incriminating photos off of his cell phone before it was confiscated from him. It was not allowed, and the incriminating photos were found.

8. Considering the grave concern of the former point, Glunt admitted to deleting pictures off of his personal laptop after his cell phone was confiscated by investigators. He had admitted to communicating with one of his underage victims with his personal laptop. No one knows what pictures were on it.

9. Glunt directed one of his groomed underage victims to LIE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT HER AGE after he knew he was caught, and in trouble - predatory grooming activity.

10. Recap: Glunt tried to delete his incriminating Child **** off of the Lynden Police Department phone, lied to investigators, then directed one of his victims to lie to investigators, placed himself in a used a position of extreme authority and trust, in addition to a grooming position to abuse, and preyed on children.

11. For all of this, Prosecutor Eric Richey had only recommended a 45 day house arrest, citing "medical conditions" - this in completely inappropriate and setting a viciously dangerous precedent, and even more dangerously, keeping a dangerous predator who groomed victims and lied to law enforcement back into the heart of the community where he abused his position of authority to prey on children.

12. There is concrete agreement as to the level of Glunt's guilt in his Child **** charges, and law will require him registered as the sex offender he is.

13. Lynden Police Chief Jack Foster, commenting upon Glunt's guilt for child **** possession, stated: “We’re sad for Officer Glunt, and for the shame for our police department and city.” No apology was made to any of his victims, simply an expression of regret for the Lynden Police Officer who was busted with the Child ****, and his own police department and city. No mention of the incomprehensible and sick wrongdoing. The department needs to be held accountable with a strong punishment - if anything Glunt should have the book thrown at him. The Lynden Police Department has had prior issues of alleged officer misconduct, and Foster is attempting to avoid the seriousness of this sordid and sickly act.

Man get stopped in the bronx, for no reason and asks the cops why he being pulled over and they dont tell him, then search his car and throw him in jail. the phone was recording in the cupholder and the cops get caught saying that they dont even know why they puled him over. NYPDs FINEST

The chief was out running errands when he was alerted that a garbage truck had rear-ended a gas truck that was carrying 9,000 gallons of gas, 15 miles away from where he was. Understanding the severity of the situation, Rahn jumped in his personal vehicle and put a mini row of red emergency lights up so that he could rush to the scene and help.

As the fire chief was rushing to the scene, he became an unknowing suspect in a car chase. Despite his emergency lights, an officer began recklessly attempting to pull him over. However, as there was an extraordinarily dangerous situation, with a person trapped, Rahn assumed the officer was just on his way to the scene as well.

According to SavannahNow, the Central Dispatch was reportedly “too busy” to check if it was someone who was responding to an incident. So, the chase continued until eventually the officer used his PA system to demand that the fire chief stop. Rahn heroically ignored the orders and continued to where he was needed, only then learning that he was being chased.

A man has filed a lawsuit against the West Jordan Police Department that alleges his rights were violated when a police K9 was dispatched and subsequently injured him, but police said they stand behind their actions.

“I didn’t dare to move. I put my hands up and froze. If I would have blinked, I thought I was going to get shot,” said Lee Hoogveldt, recalling an incident which played out in his home on March 24, 2013.

His attorney, Robert Sykes, filed a civil rights lawsuit in Federal Court on Thursday, and he provided the media with copies of body camera video showing Hoogveldt being attacked by a police dog.

“At the time and place this force was used, there was no justification at all to sic a police dog on somebody,” Sykes said.

The video shows Hoogveldt seated on a sofa after police enter his home. After numerous commands from officers, he raises his hands in the air seconds before a dog named “Pyro” lunges at his face, bites, and holds on for about 15 seconds.

Hoogveldt is then pulled into a nearby room by another officer. The video shows large amounts of blood covering his face. Seconds later, Hoogveldt is face down, and as officers work to get him handcuffed, the dog bites him in the buttocks.

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The West Jordan Police Department maintains that their officers were in danger and that appropriate force was used to take Lee Hoogveldt into custody.

Hey guys, my first time here. Sorry for the grammar or whatever. Anyway, today the cops responded to a non threatening suspicious report from my neighbor(across the street), who drove to the police station (did not call) to tell them he thought someone was trying to break into his house earlier in the day. The police told him they would send a patrol car over. They sent a car over and they came to my house, the WRONG HOUSE. They entered my fenced in backyard, guns already out, without ringing the doorbell or knocking, my dog would go bark at the front door if they had rang the bell.(My neighbors were outside waiting for the police but the police just rushed into my backyard, across the street ignoring or not seeing my neighbors waving them down.) They entered my backyard without knocking on my door or anything. My dog(german shepherd) has a doggie door and he came out and started to bark at the cop and proceeded to do what he was meant to do, guard. My dog, Otto, came outside through the dog door and charged and barked at the cop. The cop shot him twice. I arrived home, from the mall shortly after, to the numerous police at my house. I ran immediately to backyard where I would find my dog bleeding in the corner being subdued by animal control after being shot. He was rushed to the nearest animal hospital, where the doctors tried to save him but unfortunately one bullet penetrated his heart. We contacted the local news and we were interviewed. I don't know what to do. I guess sue? Any help would be great. THE AREA I LIVE IN IS A SUBURBAN WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD, and with all this news about cops wrongfully shooting people in baltimore, Missouri, etc (NOT COMPARING) just thought **** is getting out of hand with all these trigger happy police. Please, if any of you have any advice I would greatly appreciate it. THANK YOU SO MUCH. and RIP OTTO

More than a dozen law enforcement officers, including 11 in North Carolina, have been arrested in a government sting that included the FBI, the government announced Thursday.

Thomas Walker, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District, said multiple people were arrested Thursday morning in a major sting of cocaine and heroin operations. Those arrested include five current members of the Northampton County sheriff's office. They were charged with trafficking cocaine and heroin up and down the I-95 corridor.

Walker said there were arrests at an airport in Halifax County and a warehouse in Rocky Mount. A second group was arrested at a warehouse in Rocky Mount. The undercover operation has been ongoing for about a year and a half.

Arrested were:

Eight current or former officers
Three correctional officers
Two Virginia prison employees
One 911 dispatcher in Northampton County

"This crime is a breach of the public's trust," said John Strong, a special agent for the North Carolina FBI. Strong said law enforcement officials used their positions "to line their own pockets." He added that "Public corruption will not be tolerated."

Asked the reaction by FBI officers to the charges that officers were involved in this, Strong said that the reaction was "shock and disbelief."

In a newly released video taken by an off-duty Hartford cop John Cavanna, Cavanna can be heard commanding his dog to attack a wounded deer. The graphic video of the dog mauling the injured deer is sparking controversy.

Outraged animal lovers, as well as some sportsmen, have come out to condemn the actions of Cavanna, with many questioning his judgment in light of his other professional title. Aside from being an officer with the HPD, Cavanna is also employed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), which regulates hunting in Connecticut, as an environmental conservation officer.

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What is very revealing about Cavanna’s actions is his response to a question asked by investigators about why he recorded his dog going after the deer. Cavanna claimed to investigators that he did it “to prove to a friend that his dog, a pit bull, had more of a pursuit drive than his friend had thought.” The honesty in that answer seems to make it very clear that he was in no way attempting to humanely euthanize the deer.

During testimony at the Concord City Council public hearing regarding the acquisition of BearCat, the "Homeland Security" grant-subsidized armored attack truck by local law enforcement's Special Operations Unit, in Concord, NH, 8/12/2013, there was this little gem from retired Marine Colonel Pete Martino.

"Peter Martino is a citizen of the State of New Hampshire. Mr. Martino is a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve who has been mobilized three times. During his military career, he commanded an infantry platoon, company, and battalion. He was also the senior U.S. adviser to an Iraqi Army brigade. Mr. Martino has had a successful civilian career providing training, consulting, and program management services to private companies and to state and federal agency contractors. Mr. Martino presently holds a top secret security clearance."

Inmate Marcus Robicheaux was attacked by a police dog and kicked by Iberia Parish Sheriff's Deputy David Prejean on Dec. 6, 2012, as this video captured by jail cameras shows. Robicheaux filed a lawsuit complaining of his treatment, but it went nowhere.

However, the videotape was recently subpoenaed by federal authorities. Prejean was fired in January, shortly after top officials in the Sheriff's Office say they became aware of the tape."

Kathy York was charged April 29, 2012, with misdemeanor larceny and resisting an officer. While shopping at the Belk’s in Alamance Crossing, York mistakenly left the restroom with another customer’s makeup bag. When she returned home, she realized she had the bag and made arrangements to return it to the woman outside the store that evening.

She was met by Burlington police, who, after confirming nothing was missing from the bag, arrested York, who said, “No,” and turned away from Officer Cameron Leight. A jury later acquitted her of misdemeanor larceny but found her guilty of resisting an officer.

In May 2014, the N.C. Court of Appeals vacated that conviction, said the arrest was unlawful and that York had the right to resist an unlawful arrest.