By Tony Hanson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A Philadelphia judge delivered a long sentence Thursday to a 25-year-old man who shot at a neighbor in North Philadelphia over a petty dispute and then threatened and tried to intimidate a witness to that shooting.

Judge James Murray Lynn sentenced defendant Joshua Stokes to 35 to 70 years in prison, telling Stokes the sentence is to protect this city from him and also to send a message to thugs like him that we have brave citizens who will come forward.

Prosecutor Stacy Forchetti says both the intended shooting victim, and the witness testified against Stokes. She called Stokes a menace to society.

“He was actually on probation for a gun offense at the time of this offense. This is his fourth conviction as an adult and he was only 23 at the time he committed this offense. He’s shown no remorse for any of his crimes.”

Before the judge, Stokes said he’s innocent.