Nov 19, 2013 1 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A judge has convicted a former Pittsburgh-area armored car guard of killing his partner and stealing $2.3 million from the truck last year.

Kenneth Konias Jr. was found guilty on Tuesday of first-degree murder, robbery and theft. He faces life in prison at his sentencing on Feb. 18.

The attorney for the 24-year-old Dravosburg resident claims Konias shot fellow guard Michael Haines in self-defense during an argument. He says Konias stole the money after realizing he’d need money to live on the lam.

But Allegheny County prosecutors say Konias planned the heist and killed Haines in cold blood before taking the cash in February 2012, and fleeing to Florida.

Konias opted for a bench trial. Judge David Cashman rendered the verdict after a trial that lasted several days.