PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing his partner in the back of an armored truck and taking millions of dollars.

The office of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala confirmed that he will not be seeking the death penalty in the case against Ken Konias Tuesday morning.

Konias is currently awaiting trial on homicide, robbery and other charges stemming from the Feb. 28, fatal shooting of Michael Haines.

Haines was found dead in a Garda armored car in the Strip District. Konias is accused of committing the homicide and then stealing $2.3 million.

Konias was later captured as a fugitive in Florida on April 24, and was brought back to Pennsylvania to stand trial.

Zappala’s office confirms that in deciding not to seek the death penalty he spoke with the Haines family, which issued a statement Tuesday:

“We discussed at length as a family and with Mr. Zappala’s office the ramifications of a death penalty trial. Our desires were voiced in favor of avoiding the extensive trial period involved in such a pursuit, and diminishing the degree of prolonged stress on our family.

Our son Michael was a firm believer in always doing the right thing. He was not a fighter, but rather quite a cooperative, controlled man who was extremely devoted to his friends, family and community. Michael loved super heroes and had faith that right triumphs over wrong. Even in our continued mourning of this monumental loss to our family, and to his extensive network of friends, we find assurance in this decision that will help to expedite such triumph in Michael’s honor.”

Stay With KDKA.com For More Details

RELATED LINKS

More Local News
More Reports From This Case
More Reports From Andy Sheehan