A Sheraden man, who a judge said "provided pivotal testimony" to convict his co-defendants in a deadly home invasion in West Mifflin, was sentenced yesterday to seven to 14 years in prison for third-degree homicide, burglary and conspiracy.

DeJuan L. Mitchell, 20, who had no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty to the charges in the slaying of Aaron "Cheech" Cardamone, 25, who was killed at his home in West Mifflin in 2006.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski said Mr. Mitchell's testimony was instrumental in helping the prosecution mount its case against Caesar M. Trice, 19, of West Mifflin, who was believed to be the gunman in three shootings that day. A jury convicted Mr. Trice of third-degree murder and aggravated assaults on the victim's brother, John Cardamone, and the brother's girlfriend, Kimmerly Messenger.

Mr. Trice is set to be sentenced Oct. 16.

The judge said Mr. Mitchell also helped by testifying at two separate trials against co-defendant Anthony M. Nelson, 20, of California-Kirkbride. At the first trial, the jury convicted Mr. Nelson of criminal trespass, acquitted him on some charges and deadlocked on others, prompting a retrial on those counts. A second jury Friday acquitted Mr. Nelson of third-degree homicide and the aggravated assaults of the victim's brother and the brother's girlfriend.

Yesterday Judge Borkowski sentenced Mr. Nelson to 1¹/₂ to 3 years in prison -- with credit for time served -- on the trespass charge, based on his prior criminal record. The judge said he would recommend that he serve his remaining time in a boot camp program.