MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - A Milwaukee man convicted of killing the owner of a scrap yard maintained his innocence Tuesday afternoon as he was being sent to prison for at least 40 years.

20-year-old David Byrd was given a life term for first-degree intentional homicide. But Circuit Judge David Borowski gave Byrd his first chance for a supervised release in 2052, depending on how he behaves behind bars.

A jury found Byrd guilty of shooting 41-year-old Shawn Jenkins last October 27th at Midtown Auto and Metal Recycling on Milwaukee’s northwest side. An employee discovered the owner’s body at the plant that morning.

Byrd’s 21-year-old uncle Derrick pleaded guilty in May to a reduced charge of second-degree homicide, after he agreed to testify against his nephew at David Byrd’s trial.

Prosecutors say they’ll ask a judge for an 8 to 10 year prison sentence when Derrick is sentenced in October. A third defendant, 23-year-old Jimmy Williams, has a felony murder charge pending.

Prosecutors said the three targeted Jenkins because they thought he kept $2,000 at his business. Police said Jenkins was confronted as he locked his business – but he ran back inside, insisting he was not going to be robbed.

Officials said David Byrd chased Jenkins and shot him in the leg and the back of the head.