Man sentenced to prison after pulling a knife during a domestic dispute, causing injuries

BEDFORD – Lawrence County Superior Court I Judge John Plummer III sentenced a Mitchell man to the Department of Corrections.

Jesse Samuel Thomas Liverly, 30, pleaded guilty to domestic battery using a deadly weapon, battery using a deadly weapon, and intimidation, all Level 5 felonies in a negotiated plea deal.

Judge Plummer sentenced Lively to six years at the Indiana Department of Correction on each count, all of which will run concurrently. Upon his release, Lively will spend four years on supervised probation.

On Saturday, May 27, at approximately 7:50 p.m., Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Central Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a domestic fight in a yard in the 5400 block of US 50 West.

Jesse Lively

Sgt. Michael Williams, Deputies Calvin Callahan, Robin Compton, and Thomas Porter responded. While en route, officers were informed that a male involved in the fight had a knife and was attempting to stab others. The caller then reported shots had been fired.

As officers arrived, they observed two men in a physical altercation, which they were able to break up quickly.

An investigation, which included interviewing several witnesses, involved persons, and the suspect, ensued. 

The officers’ preliminary investigation determined that Lively, 29, of Mitchell, had arrived at the residence unannounced and uninvited, attempting to visit his children from a previous relationship.

Those two juvenile children were present and witnessed the incident.

Lively reportedly argued with the mother of the children after he had grabbed one of the juveniles by the arm, causing an injury.

When another male attempted to intervene, Lively became upset and threatened the male that he was going to kill him. Lively then brandished a knife and began to chase the male around the property with the knife in an attempt to stab him. The male locked himself in the residence, but Lively attempted to force his way inside

A second male intervened, exiting the residence and firing what was described as a “warning shot” into the ground while telling Lively to leave.

A third male who attempted to control Lively physically suffered multiple cuts from the knife while doing so.

In addition, the mother of the children involved in the argument attempted to intervene multiple times. She reported being choked by Lively, and she also suffered minor cuts from the knife as well as scratches and bruises from the altercation. 

Officers, who had detained Lively upon their arrival, attempted to escort him to a police vehicle. However, Lively attempted to pull away and physically resisted arrest.

Lively was transported to IU Health Hospital in Bedford for treatment of a minor cut he received while resisting arrest. The other injured parties received treatment at the scene by EMS personnel. 

As a result of witness statements, a review of video footage taken during the incident, and statements by Lively both during and after the incident, officers arrested Lively on charges of attempted murder, three counts of battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of domestic battery, domestic battery in the presence of a minor, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, attempted residential entry, resisting law enforcement by force, intimidation, criminal trespass, and criminal mischief. Most of those charges were dropped in the negotiated plea deal.