COVINGTON, Ga. – Seventeen-year-old Quran Ali Knighton was sentenced to life in prison this morning at the Newton County Judicial Center during a hearing before Alcovy Circuit Chief Judge John M. Ott.

The former Newton County High School sophomore was convicted by a jury last October for the 2016 stabbing death of 18-year-old Markice Samuel Harris.

Harris was killed May 19 during a fight with Knighton outside of the gated Wesleyan Subdivision on Boogers Hill Road where he lived.

Saying, “Our society suffers because of the wave of violence in our communities,” Ott sentenced Knighton to life for Harris’ murder plus an additional mandatory five years for possession of a knife used while committing the crime.

“Why do young people think the answer to having their feelings hurt is using a weapon?” Ott asked.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Candice Branche said Knighton will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least 35 years.

Knighton’s attorney, Jeff Banks, said he will move for a new trial immediately.