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Suspect Arraigned For Deadly Stabbing

HAZLETON — Police believe they have the man responsible for a deadly stabbing and a violent armed robbery. Amir Edwards, 22, was arraigned Friday in Hazle...

HAZLETON -- Police believe they have the man responsible for a deadly stabbing and a violent armed robbery.

Amir Edwards, 22, was arraigned Friday in Hazleton, accused of killing Zachary Richards, 27, on Thursday. Edwards is facing one count of criminal homicide for the death of Richards. Edwards had nothing to say as he was led out of Hazleton City Hall.

Investigators said Richards was a brother of a Luzerne County assistant district attorney. Because of that, the state attorney general's office will be prosecuting this case to avoid a conflict of interest.

Richards was found stabbed inside a home on Cleveland Street just before 6 a.m. Thursday.

At a news conference, law enforcement officials from several jurisdictions who worked together in arresting Edwards were on hand.

"Because of that cooperation and because of the fact they worked so well together within 15 hours, 15 hours, a murderer was in custody and taken off the streets," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane.

Police were able to track Edwards to a home on Pine Street where a search warrant was executed.

Hazleton Police Chief Frank DeAndrea said while officers were there a suspicious car drove by around 9 p.m. Thursday. Detectives followed and arrested Edwards at the intersection of Wyoming and Broad Streets.

Police say Richards had a last known address in Freeland but had been staying at the Cleveland Street location.

As far as a connection between Richards and Edwards, police say Edwards was at the Cleveland Street home and the two men had an argument that ended with Edwards stabbing Richards.

Police have said they do not believe the fact that Richards' brother is a county A.D.A. had anything to do with the crime.

"We will not stop. We are working presently and we will not stop until the justice system has done its job and Mr. Edwards is behind bars where he belongs," Kane said.

Edwards is being held without bail at the Luzerne County Prison.

According to court paperwork, detectives interviewed a witness at the Cleveland Street home who told them Edwards had been invited to the house by his sister.

The witness said Edwards and his sister got into a fight which woke up Richards.

Richards told Edwards to leave. He did, but came back an hour later and argued with Richards again then stabbed him once in the back and left.

Before being arraigned on the homicide charge in Hazleton, Edwards was in Carbon County being charged for a violent robbery at a food store in Trescow Wednesday night.

 

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