PITTSBURGH — Jury selection has begun for a former armored car guard charged with killing his work partner and stealing $2.3 million in a Pittsburgh heist last year.
Kenneth Konias Jr., 24, was arrested in Florida about two months after the Feb. 28, 2012 heist.
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. won't pursue the death penalty, saying he prefers Konias be convicted, imprisoned and forgotten about instead of becoming a potential death-row celebrity.
Zappala said the Dravosburg man fatally shot partner Michael Haines before stealing money from their Garda Cash Logistics vehicle.
Jury selection began Wednesday morning after the attorneys argued last-minute motions. Konias’ defense attorney tried unsuccessfully to get the trial moved to another city. He said because of social media coverage, his client wouldn’t be able to get a fair trial.
As of Wednesday at 4 p.m., two jurors had been selected.
Konias has pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal homicide, theft and robbery and has suggested at pretrial hearings that he shot Haines in self-defense, which prosecutors find implausible.
“If he’s convicted of homicide, which he is facing, he will go to prison for life. The natural defense is going to be that the victim was part of this, but it was self-defense. I can tell you that so far, it’s a reach and cry,” WPXI legal analyst Phil DiLucente said.
Timeline of events:
Feb. 28, 8:47 a.m. - Konias and his partner, Michael Haines, pick up millions of dollars from the Rivers Casino.
Feb. 28, 12:55 p.m. - Konias and Haines make their last pickup at a Home Depot in Ross Township.
Feb. 28, 3:44 p.m. - Konias and Haines’ truck found idling in Pittsburgh with Haines’ body inside.
March 7 - $250,000 found at Konias’ Dravosburg home.
March 8 - $24,000 found hidden at Konias' grandmother’s grave.
March 16 – Konias was featured on "America’s Most Wanted."
March 21 – Konias’ parents made a public plea for him to “please come home.”
April 24 - Konias arrested in Florida.