DA Preparing To Try Armored Truck Heist As State Homicide Case

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- He's accused of stealing more than $2 million and shooting and killing his co-worker, but Ken Konias says it all happened in self-defense.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala held a news conference today on the case following Konias' arrest earlier this week in Florida.

Zappala announced that he is preparing to try the Konias case as a state homicide case and possibly a death penalty case.

However, Zappala said that he would consult with the family of the victim, Michael Haines, about the length of a death penalty case and whether justice is better served if he's "put away right away."

Meanwhile, there is still no final word on whether the case will be tried in state or federal court.

According to Zappala, statements from Konias to investigators that indicate he fired in self-defense because the victim pulled a gun on him do not fit with the physical evidence.

Investigators say that it may be Haines pulled a weapon, but there's no evidence he was part of the plot. According to the District Attorney, Haines tried to stop the heist and then was killed outside of the Home Depot in the North Hills. Konias was in the driver's seat.

"We believe that what he did is, he reaches up, moves one foot or takes one step and shoots Michael in the back of the head; and we find Mike's body in the wheel well facing the door to exit on the right hand side," said Zappala.

Zappala also said that the investigators who are now in Florida want to speak with a cab driver who may have been preparing to help Konias get to Jamaica.

Some of the woman at the house where Konias was staying told KDKA that he was planning to go to Jamaica in the next four days.

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Konias Takes Full Responsibility For Crimes (4/25/12)
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