SCHENECTADY — A judge sentenced Andrell Leppanen to 25 years to life behind bars for killing his stepfather by dousing him with gasoline and setting him on fire, saying he had an obligation to speak for the victim Kevin Hawkins and others whom the defendant might hurt in the future.

"There was nothing in the record, no evidence, that your father was a threat to you," visiting Schenectady County Court Judge Michael Coccoma told Leppanen Monday before sentencing the defendant as a second-time violent felon.

"You meant to cause death and physical injury, and at no time have you shown any remorse for what you did to your father."

Leppanen, who his lawyer has previously said was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and the dramatic mood disorder of schizoaffective disorder that started manifesting a few years ago, has a 2015 assault conviction from Albany.

In August 2016, Leppanen doused his stepfather Kevin Hawkins, 59, with gasoline and set him ablaze at 925 Bridge St. in Schenectady's Mont Pleasant neighborhood after a disagreement. He fled but was arrested a few days later.

There was conflicting information at trial about the extent and nature of the conflict between the two men.

Hawkins, severely burned, was flown by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center Hospital where he died.

In December, a jury found Leppanen, 31, guilty of second-degree murder and assault. He was acquitted of a second assault charge and two misdemeanors, including arson.

On Monday, Leppanen, who once worked as a licensed practical nurse, declined to address the court.

His mother, however, gave a victim impact statement.

Latonya Hawkins, told the court that her son is only a threat to himself and family and that their efforts to get him treatment for his mental illness proved futile.

"My family sought out help to no avail time and time again," Hawkins read. "He's not a danger to society, he became a danger to himself and those we love."

She also recalled that Hawkins "had a heart of gold" and "loved our kids with all his heart and soul."

"My husband never ever had any physical altercations with any of our children," she added.

While acknowledging his mental illness, Assistant District Attorney Christina Tremante-Pelham said it was time Leppanen be held accountable for his violent behavior that began long before he killed Kevin Hawkins.

"Everyone's failed him. No. He's failed everyone who has tried to help him," said the prosecutor, noting Leppanen was on probation at the time of the crime but was still drinking and taking drugs. "This is a violent dangerous man."

She also reiterated that Leppanen planned the crime by transferring the gas into a pot to make it easier to throw on Hawkins and hasn't shown any remorse for what he did.

Public Defender Stephen Signore, who represented Leppanen, described the case as "unique" and asked Coccoma to "be the balance" since the DA's office always asks for the maximum penalty in criminal cases.

He also argued that it's not unusual for people with mental health problems to be in denial and refuse to take their medication.

Hawkins had been a part of Leppannen's life since he was two years old, said Signore.

Hawkins, who had married Latonya Hawkins in the late 1990s, owned a business on Albany Street in Schenectady called Key's World.