Convicted school shooter facing new charges in connection with alleged threats

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - Michael Phelps' facial expression screamed disappointed as Morgan County deputies led him back to jail Friday, after a judge sentenced the 15-year-old to 30 years in prison.

The teen pleaded guilty to gunning down his classmate Chance Jackson inside his middle school in March. It's quite possible that Phelps would have received a lighter sentence if it weren't for some reckless comments police said he made behind bars.

According to court records, in letters penned from his cell and in phone conversations at jail, Phelps made a list of threats.

"Everybody that snitched me out is getting something when I get out," one letter says. "I'm going to make a hit list."

There was even a warning for the residents in his hometown of Martinsville: "This town is going to remember me when I get out they better believe that."

But perhaps the most chilling statement came in a discussion of Jackson's shooting: "Am mad at myself for wasting those perfectly good hollow point bullets on him," Phelps said. "I would be better if I shot a cop instead."

Court documents also accuse Phelps' friends of attacking one of the witnesses in Phelps' case.

Phelps faces new charges in connection with the alleged threats, and he will have a pretrial hearing in Oct. 7 for his alleged threats. He is facing seven new charges, including intimidation.