Indianapolis - A judge sentenced an Indianapolis man to 54 years in prison for shooting an IPD officer in the face. Officer Michael Antonelli went back to work last night patrolling the same neighborhood where he was shot a year ago. But Antonelli says his life will never be the same even if the gunman is now in prison.
Kenya Wright apologized in court for what happened to IPD officer Michael Antonelli. Wright fired five shots during a struggle with the police officer in 2005. One of the bullets struck Antonelli in the face.
"Most people who get shot in the face from point-blank range die. The doctors describe it as one to two centimeters from entering my brain," Antonelli said.
Wright will serve 54 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of attempted murder and other charges.
With Indiana's good-behavior rule, "he'll probably do 27 years. When he gets out, I still won't be able to see out of the right side of my face," Antonelli said.
The top brass within IPD attended Wednesday's court hearing, including Chief Mike Spears, who's proud of his officer.
"When you use force against a police officer, you use force against society. And clearly the judge recognized that," Spears said.
Antonelli's parents testified in the sentencing hearing that the shooting has changed their family's life forever.
"Did Kenya Wright's apology mean anything to the family? No. Nothing will bring Michael's eye back," said Carol Antonelli, his mother.
"This is one exceptional young man because I think many people with that kind of injury, the last thing they want to do is go back to the east district and risk their life -- but he couldn't wait to go back," said Richard Antonelli, Michael's father.
Antonelli has undergone three surgeries so far. He has two operations scheduled for 2007.
Kenya Wright plans to appeal his sentence.
