A judge has sentenced Alan Jones to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of his stepsister, Erin Maxwell. Jones was found guilty of second degree murder back in September. Our Andy Mattison was in the courtroom for the proceedings and has more on the sentencing, plus details on the defense's plans for an appeal.

OSWEGO COUNTY, N.Y. -- Before being sentenced Monday, Alan Jones addressed the courtroom for the first time, assuring the court he will never do anything to cause harm to anyone and that he thinks his conviction will be overturned on appeal. If it isn't, Jones could spend most of his life in prison after a judge sentenced him to 25 years to life for the murder of his stepsister, Erin Maxwell.

The prosecution claims Jones strangled Erin with a rope and while the verdict went in their favor, the defense is still maintaining Jones' innocence.

"He's going to be exonerated. His case is going to be dismissed and it's going to be reversed on the law. I have no doubt in my mind on that," said defense attorney Sal Lanza.

"This is an eleven and a half year old girl that will never breathe another breath, the circumstances were very, very difficult for her in terms of where she lived and this defendant caused her death, killed her and he deserves everyday of 25 years in prison," said Oswego County District Attorney Donald Dodd.

Before sentencing, a judge denied a motion by the defense to set aside the guilty verdict.

Earlier this month Lanza revealed in court a juror reached out to the defense saying he thought he made a mistake by finding Jones guilty, but that argument, as well as the one about the charge of depraved indifference murder, will have to be decided by the appeals court.

"There's some remarks that the juror made to us under oath that just astounds me. They didn't listen to the judge, they didn't follow his charge, they said someone has to pay for this crime, what exactly was discussed?" asked Lanza.

Jones' sentencing was a lot different from the jeering Lynn and Lindsey Maxwell faced in town court in Palermo. Instead of Palermo residents, some of the New York State Troopers who testified in the trial were on hand for the sentencing.

With Jones now headed to prison for the next 25 years to life, the officers feel the case has sent a strong message to the community.

"I hope because of this trial and conviction, there's some awareness that if you neglect, abuse or physically harm a child, the police and prosecutors are going to come after you to make sure you're held responsible," said New York State police captain Mark Lincoln.

There are three elements to the defense's motion to have the guilty verdict set aside, one of them being the charge of depraved indifference murder. But Judge Hafner says that those arguments will now have to be heard by the appellate division.