KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha man convicted of murdering another man during a dispute over $20 was sentenced Monday to life in prison by Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jason Rossell, who ruled the defendant will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years behind bars.

Stephon K. Hawthorne, 38, of Kenosha, was convicted in December by a Kenosha County jury of first-degree intentional homicide, possession of a firearm by a felon, and felony bail jumping in connection with the October 2022 shooting death of 41-year-old Carl Vines Jr.

Because first-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence in Wisconsin, Rossell was required to impose life in prison. The judge’s decision Monday focused on whether Hawthorne would ever be eligible for release. Rossell determined Hawthorne could seek parole after 30 years.

The conviction followed a tense three-day jury trial in Kenosha County Circuit Court late last year. Jurors rejected Hawthorne’s claim that he acted in self-defense during the confrontation that ended in gunfire on the 6300 block of 24th Avenue.

According to testimony and evidence presented during the trial, the dispute began over a $20 debt in the early morning hours of Oct. 13, 2022. Surveillance video played for jurors showed Hawthorne and Vines walking along the street before Hawthorne pulled a handgun and fired multiple shots. Vines attempted to run but collapsed in the roadway after being struck.

Police responding to the scene found Vines severely wounded in the street and attempted life-saving measures before he was transported to Froedtert Hospital. Doctors later pronounced him dead from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the criminal complaint.

Investigators testified that Hawthorne initially told detectives he was not present at the scene before later admitting he fired the shots. Prosecutors argued that the surveillance footage and other evidence contradicted Hawthorne’s claim that Vines had a gun.

The case also involved a key witness who appeared on surveillance video immediately after the shooting. During the trial, the court issued a material witness warrant for the woman after she failed to appear for her subpoena. She was later brought to court and testified.

Jurors deliberated for just over two hours before returning guilty verdicts on all counts.

Following Monday’s sentencing, Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis issued a statement about the outcome.

“Today’s sentence ensures that the defendant will spend decades in prison for taking the life of Carl Vines Jr. While nothing can undo the loss suffered by Mr. Vines’ family, this sentence brings accountability and a measure of closure for them and for the community. And thank you to the Kenosha Police Department for their excellent work and commitment to justice.”

With Rossell’s ruling, Hawthorne will spend at least three decades in prison before he can ask the state parole commission for release. If parole is denied, he could remain imprisoned for the rest of his life.