A courtroom was left in stunned silence as a teenager, still too young to drive, was handed a 985-year prison sentence — one of the harshest ever imposed on a juvenile. As the judge announced the sentence, the young defendant’s face fell in disbelief.

Surrounded by attorneys and law enforcement, he stood motionless, coming to terms with the grim reality that he may never walk free again. The trial, involving a series of violent crimes that had shaken the community, drew mixed reactions. Some believed the sentence was just, while others deemed it overly severe, arguing it left no room for rehabilitation. A viral video of the sentencing has sparked a heated debate online: Should a teenager be locked away for life, or does every young person deserve a chance at redemption?