ERIE -- A man who claimed he had only a minimal role in the bizarre bombing death of an Erie pizza delivery man was sentenced to 45 years in prison this morning.

Kenneth Barnes, 55, will likely spend the rest of his life in federal prison for the Aug. 28, 2003, death of Brian Wells.

Mr. Barnes and one other co-defendant, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, were charged with conspiring to strap a collar bomb to Mr. Wells' neck prior to his robbery of a PNC Bank in Summit, Erie County.

Mr. Wells told police he was forced to wear a bomb around his neck and rob the bank. As law enforcement waited for the bomb squad to arrive, the device exploded, killing Mr. Wells.

Both defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Ms. Diehl-Armstrong is incarcerated for another crime.

During the five-year investigation prosecutors have said Mr. Wells participated in the planning of the crime. However, during the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin this morning, Mr. Wells' sister continued to claim her brother was an innocent victim.

"Who would choose to wear a live collar bomb set to detonate in 55 minutes?" asked Jean Heid. "Brian is an innocent man who was caught in the snare of evildoers through no fault of his own."