Nicholas Chamberlain was sentenced to serve 42 years in prison Friday, after he stabbed his ex-girlfriend Lori Miebs dozens of times near Service High School in December 2009.
In September, Chamberlain pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree attempted murder and third-degree assault. Judge Michael Wolverton handed down a 60-year sentence with 20 years suspended on the murder charge, as well as a two-year sentence on the assault charge.
Prosecutors say Chamberlain lured Miebs into woods near Service High by promising her a surprise, then started stabbing her -- at least 76 times, according to Miebs -- in an attack that saw him stop once to change blades after one got bent.
At the sentencing hearing in Anchorage Superior Court, the man who stopped the attack recalled seeing Chamberlain on top of Miebs.
"Nick came up very fast swiping and swinging his knife at me. I saw the look in a human being's eyes that I've never seen before, and I hope to never see again," said Ken Schulz, who happened to by skiing in the area when the stabbing occurred.
The attack didn't end until Schulz and other bystanders arrived to help Miebs. Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan honored both Miebs and the people who helped save her life in a February 2010 ceremony.
Chamberlain apologized for his actions, saying they were terrible, traumatizing and deserving of punishment.
"I truly apologize for my terrible actions and for the effects they have had on the victim, her family and the community," Chamberlain told the court.
Miebs hugged family members outside the courtroom shortly after Friday's sentencing. She said she is happy with the sentence.
"I'm just happy that the sentence is a good long one, and I'm happy that it's finally over and I don't have to deal with it for a long time," Miebs said.
Chamberlain had faced up to 99 years on the murder charge and five years on the assault charge.
Channel 2's Dan Carpenter contributed information to this story.
Contact Chris Klint