Granny's Got a Gun

“My grandma shot me,” the voice on the other end of the 911 call said. “I’m going to die. Help me!” The voice was that of 17-year-old Jonathan Hoffman, a Michigan teen who lay dying on the floor of his grandmother’s condo in 2012 after the 75-year-old woman shot him six times.

Hoffman Moves in With Grandma

Hoffman moved in with his grandmother, Sandra Layne, several months before the shooting. His parents relocated to Arizona in order to get lifesaving medical treatment for his younger sister. Soon to graduate, Hoffman wanted to stay behind to finish his final year of school. His grandmother agreed that he could live with her.

The two had a tumultuous relationship from the get-go. Things only worsened when Hoffman was placed on probation in March 2012 after getting caught with marijuana. The police responded to a domestic disturbance call at the Layne condo several months before the murder. No one was arrested in this incident.

Granny Got a Gun

Layne purchased a handgun in April 2012, the month following Hoffman’s placement on probation. She took two classes teaching her how to shoot the weapon.

On May 18, 2012, Layne took Hoffman to a drug test appointment with his probation officer. His urine came back dirty for synthetic marijuana, also called K2. The probation officer ordered Jonathan to return to the office later in the day.

This enraged Hoffman. Back at the condo, Layne got into an argument with her grandson over the failed drug test and his poor grades at school. Layne asked her husband to walk the dogs. He left the home around 4:30 pm.

Once her husband left, Layne says the argument worsened as her grandson acted violently toward her. Layne said she was left with no other option than to shoot her grandson to protect herself.

“I Did it. I Shot My Grandson”

When police arrived at the apartment, the frail, poorly looking Layne put her hands in the air and stated, “I did it. I shot my grandson.” She then led police to the body of her slain grandson in the back bedroom.

She was taken into custody.

As police began the investigation, evidence showed Layne fired the weapon 10 times. Five bullets struck Hoffman, three in the chest. She never called for help nor did she attempt to help save her grandson.

Self-Defense Claim

Layne testified on her behalf at trial, stating that she loved her grandson but that he became a different person when using drugs. She testified that she asked his parents to help her, but they ignored her pleas. Layne claimed that she acted in self-defense when she shot him. Prosecutors questioned why she did not call for help and why she continued to shoot after he was down.

Lawyers argued that the 9-1-1 call captured the young man attacking his grandmother, but the evidence did not support this claim.

Layne Found Guilty

A court did not believe Layne’s self-defense story. She was found guilty on second-degree murder charges and sentenced to 22 to 40-years in prison. This sentence practically ensures the elderly woman dies behind bars.

Now 83 years old, Layne spends her time incarcerated at the Huron Valley Women’s Complex in Michigan.

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