The judge has ordered life sentences for three people convicted in the deaths of two Detroit-area women who were abducted, killed and buried in a park.

Wayne County Judge Vonda Evans called one man a "merciless mercenary" and another an "architect of death." Reginald Brown, cousin Jeremy Brown and Brandon Cain face mandatory life in prison without parole.

Read more: Judge to murder convict: 'You're a cowardly chameleon'

Brian Lee proclaimed his innocence before he was sentenced Friday to at least 45 years in prison for second-degree murder.

Hamtramck residents Abreeya Brown and Ashley Conaway were stuffed in a car trunk at gunpoint before they were killed in February. Police believe they were targeted for informing authorities about an earlier shooting.

A fifth defendant was sentenced last week to at least 20 years in prison.

Reginald Brown