INDIANAPOLIS — A former North Central High School student will spend the next 10 years in prison for stabbing another student at school two years ago.
Wyatt Maxey stabbed Brandon Whatley in the heart and head on Sept. 6, 2021.
The stabbing took place in a hallway at the start of the school day two years ago.
Video of the incident shows two senior students running into the building and down the hallway after apparently having a fist fight earlier outside the school. Maxey, who was 18 at the time, is in a track suit chasing the other boy, Brandon Whatley, with a knife.
Whatley suffered significant injuries but has since recovered.
A teacher, who still works at North Central High School and was the first to encounter the boys and tried to intervene, testified during the trial. He called it the worst day in his 25 years of teaching.
"They were with great violence. Like this or like this, I don't know, but it was over and over again to the point that I couldn't get between them, and I couldn't get him off of him because I knew I couldn't get between them without... well, my feeling was I couldn't get between them without getting stabbed," said Gregory Lineweaver, chair of the English department at North Central. "It was unlike anything I have ever witnessed, ever."
Maxey appeared in court Monday wearing a prison orange jumpsuit with his wrists and ankles in shackles.
Judge Angela Davis also sentenced Maxey to 10 years on home detention.
"To Brandon's family, you may think it's lenient. To Wyatt's family you may think that it's excessive, and it's not the court's job to make anybody happy," said Davis.
Davis told the families Maxey has no prior criminal history. She took into account 56 character letters submitted to the court on behalf of Maxey, his age at the time of the incident and his behavior over the last two years while on home detention.
Before sentencing, families from both sides took the stand.
Whatley held up a stack of medical bills she says have totaled about $10,000.
"Nothing anyone can do can return these losses to Brandon or our family. Justice can only patch the holes that are left behind from this senseless crime," said Whatley, who asked the judge for a sentence of no less than 30 years in prison and restitution for medical bills.
The judge said the court could not rule on restitution because Maxey cannot afford it, but told Whatley there may be financial help through other resources.
Other family members talked about Brandon's character.
"It was heartbreaking to see so much slander and hatred given towards my brother knowing he didn't and doesn't deserve it," said Ariyana Whatley, Brandon's sister.
Arnetria Whatley told the court that September day two years ago could have been avoided. She wanted Maxey to explain why it happened.
"Any explanation that you try to give to why you did this was only a desperate attempt to save your behind. You may try to tell your lies and when I saw you in court, I figured out why you did this. I figured that it must have been pretty hard to look at God's child when you have the devil in you," she said.
The defense then presented four witnesses to discuss Maxey's character.
The first person to take the stand was Travis Peters, a violence interrupter with Indy Peace Fellowship. He told the court he met Maxey about four months ago and developed a spiritual relationship.
"I think he's a good kid. He has to be held accountable for his actions, but we stuck through faith. I know he has a good heart. I know he doesn't have a devil in him. To me, he's a good kid and he can be a citizen of this city," said Peters.
Maxey's mother also took the stand and talked about his mental health.
She said he was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and PTSD resulting from trauma growing up.
"One, the passing of our great-grandmother as well as a suicide attempt that I went through. The issues of being homeless and it kind of left him at one stage being an introvert, not to mention he was bullied going through school," said Twaina Lampley-Maxey, Wyatt's mother.
"He's not the monster that he is portrayed to be. He really has remorse, and this hurts him to have to go through this, not only for his family to have to see it, but Mr. Brandon's family seeing it," said Twaina Lampley-Maxey.
Lampley-Maxey expressed both families are hurting.
"What if neither one of these boys were here. It could have been that simple, but we have them and yes, justice has to be done and I understand this," said Lampley-Maxey. "He had a moment. He had a moment. An impulsive unconscious, mistakeable moment and it's a bad moment that left a scar. There is no amount of time that can heal this."
Lampley-Maxey told the judge she wants her son to get the help that he needs.
"We heard a lot about what Wyatt did but who asked what led up to this? What led up to this? What caused it? Is Wyatt really the villain or is social media the villain?"
RELATED: Wyatt Maxey found guilty on all counts in 2021 North Central High School student stabbing case
Davis then gave Maxey the opportunity to address the court before his sentence. He took the witness stand and began reading a prepared statement.
"I pray Mr. Whatley and his family understand the shame and regret and remorse I have," said Maxey. "My mental state at the time was not the best. When the situation happened, I felt like I couldn't control my actions and emotions in the heat of the moment. I have never planned or intended to hurt Brandon."
Davis told Maxey there are consequences for his actions.
Maxey will serve 10 years in the Department of Correction and the final 10 years on home detention.
"I have never, and I've done this for a long time, ever given that much time to home detention, but you've shown the court that you can do it. But make no mistake, you violate, you will get every day of that 10-year sentence," said Davis.
Maxey must also undergo mental health treatment during his home detention, attend anger management classes, and attend school while in the DOC and do 100 hours of community service.
The Maxey family tells 13News they have filed an appeal.