Pa. guard appears in court in killing, $2.3M heist

Topics: From the Wires,

PITTSBURGH (AP) — An armored car guard charged with killing his partner and making off with more than $2 million returned to Pennsylvania on Thursday to face charges.

Kenneth Konias Jr., 22, appeared Thursday before a federal judge in Pittsburgh and asked for a public defender. He didn’t enter a plea.

Konias simply answered “yes” to questions from Judge Lisa P. Lenihan, who granted his request for a court-appointed attorney. Konias’ public defender at the hearing, Christopher Brown, said afterward that he couldn’t comment about the case.

Konias, of Dravosburg, was arrested April 24 in Pompano Beach, Fla., after nearly two months on the run. Authorities allege he killed fellow guard Michael Haines and disappeared with $2.3 million. Haines’ body was found inside a Garda Cash Logistics truck under a Pittsburgh bridge on Feb. 28.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig W. Haller told Konias he faces two federal charges — robbery and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. Haller said Konias could face the death penalty if he’s convicted of killing Hanes with a gun.

Konias came to Pittsburgh from a facility in Oklahoma City where prisoners are processed as they move between states.

About $1.4 million of the missing money has been recovered.

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