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WILKES-BARRE — A Hazleton man who stabbed the only brother of a county prosecutor to death with a kitchen knife pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree murder.

Amir Edwards, 24, of North Pine Street, was charged in September 2014 with the fatal stabbing of 27-year-old Zachary John Richards, brother of Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Justin Richards. Because of the brothers’ relationship, the case was prosecuted by the state Office of Attorney General.

Justin Richards said Monday his brother was a kind, warm-hearted person whose battle with addiction landed him in the same social circles as “the defendant.” The 30-year-old prosecutor, who often finds himself in a courtroom opposite violent offenders, said he won’t speak Edwards’ name.

His brother’s killing turned his life upside down, he said, but gave him perspective in assisting other victims of violent crimes in Luzerne County.

“This was a life-changing event for me when this occurred,” Justin Richards said, noting his brother was killed not long after he became an assistant district attorney.

Edwards’ plea was “an important step in working toward a resolution for my family and the other families affected,” Justin Richards said.

Edwards had admitted he stabbed Zachary Richards once in the back, but said it was because Richards had pointed a rifle at him during an argument, police said.

Officers found Zachary Richards with a knife sticking out of his back inside 615 Cleveland St. in Hazleton on Sept. 11, 2014. A witness who lives at the residence told police Edwards was at their home about two hours earlier and got into a physical altercation with his sister.

Zachary Richards, who had been staying at the residence, woke up from the noise and told Edwards to leave. Edwards left the house but said he would return, the witness told police. About an hour later, Edwards returned and the argument resumed. At that time, Edwards took his weapon from a kitchen knife block and stabbed Zachary Richards.

In exchange for Edwards’ plea, prosecutors withdrew a count of aggravated assault. Edwards also entered pleas Monday in two separate cases, pleading guilty to resisting arrest and drug charges in one incident and the aggravated assault and robbery of an elderly woman in another.

Edwards will be sentenced in all three cases Nov. 7.

Justin Richards said his family will ask the judge to impose the maximum penalty of 40 years in prison for the third-degree murder conviction.

Amir Edwards pleaded guilty Monday to the fatal stabbing of 27-year-old Zachary Richards, brother of Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Justin Richards. Edwards will be sentenced Nov. 7.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_TTL091314Edwards.joc_-4.jpg.optimal.jpgAmir Edwards pleaded guilty Monday to the fatal stabbing of 27-year-old Zachary Richards, brother of Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Justin Richards. Edwards will be sentenced Nov. 7. Clark Van Orden | The Times Leader

By Joe Dolinsky

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Reach Joe Dolinsky at 570-991-6110 or on Twitter @JoeDolinskyTL.