Two strippers were sentenced today after pleading guilty to calling for back up when the host of a Penn Hills birthday party refused to pay them in 2005. The four gunmen -- who arrived, shot the host and killed the birthday celebrant and his brother -- are facing life sentences. (.

"I do apologize to the lady that lost her sons. I have to live with that every day of my life," said Geneva Burrell, 31, of Edgewood, who worked under the name "Black Cherry." Allegheny County Judge Lester G. Nauhaus said she had served jail time, testified against the assailants and he did not see a reason to punish her further. He sentenced her to two years of probation and ordered her to pay court costs for her guilty pleas to burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.

Like Ms. Burrell, LaAngel Potter, 25, of East Pittsburgh, who worked under the name "Spice," also cried as she stood before the judge. She said, "I'm not a cruel person ... I dream about [the homicides] all the time." The judge sentenced her to time served for her guilty plea to conspiracy to commit burglary.

Three co-defendants have been sentenced in the shooting deaths of T.C. Preston Lyerly, 36, of Wilkinsburg, who was celebrating his birthday Feb. 19, 2005, and his brother, Chaoe D. Davis, 22, of East Liberty.

Erik R. Surratt, 20, of Braddock, is serving two consecutive life sentences for two counts of first-degree murder and an additional 25 to 50 years for burglary, conspiracy and attempted murder in the nonfatal shooting of party host Kevilin Middleton.

Alfon R. Brown, 32, of North Braddock, was given two concurrent life sentences for two counts of second-degree murder plus eight to 16 years for burglary and conspiracy.

Ramone S. Coto, 23, of Braddock, received two concurrent life sentences for two counts of second-degree murder plus three to six years for burglary.

The judge also convicted co-defendant Richard G. Cunningham, 25, of Braddock, of second-degree murder in the slaying of two brothers. His sentencing is set for Sept. 22.