A Luzerne County man, already serving a long state prison term for a murder that occurred in Hazleton in 2015, was sentenced to more state prison time on Friday in Carbon County court.

Amir M. Edwards, 22, of Hazleton, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve 96 to 196 months in a state correctional institution on a charge of robbery. Edwards admitted his part in a robbery of the Tresckow Superfood Market, at 6 Walnut St., Tresckow, Banks Township, on Sept. 10, 2014, at 7:43 p.m.

On May 9, following a three-day trial, Edwards’ co-defendant in the case, Elton Molina, 27, also of Hazleton, was convicted on four of five counts filed against him and is awaiting sentencing in the case.

Edwards attempted to withdraw his plea earlier this year, but that was denied by Matika.

On Friday his court-appointed attorney, Joseph V. Sebelin Jr., said his client would not speak at the sentencing proceeding because he is going to appeal Matika’s denial of his petition to withdraw his plea. Sebelin also said little because of his client’s position.

However, retired state trooper, James Surmick, who filed the charges, did speak at the hearing, He said Edwards made two statements admitting his part in the robbery. He said the case was both “sad and tragic” because of the injuries suffered by the owner of the market, Manoj Vitt Patel suffered injuries from a pistol whipping inflicted on him by Edwards. The injuries were so severe that Patel had to be flown to a trauma center for treatment from the scene. He has since recovered.

Surmick said Edwards has a history of violence in crimes that he commits. Surmick said Edwards was convicted in a home invasion case in Hazleton in which he assaulted an elderly woman. He pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the stabbing death of Zachary Richards, 27, of Hazleton, that occurred in 2014. Edwards was sentenced to serve 20 to 40 years in a state prison on the murder charge. Also at that proceeding the judge also sentenced him to serve 36 to 72 months in another case, consecutive to the murder charge case.

District Attorney Jean A. Engler, who successfully prosecuted Molina, said Edwards cooperated with the commonwealth early in the case but suddenly changed his mind, despite the two statements he gave admitting to his involvement in the robbery. She said up to the day of Molina’s trial, Edwards was still offered the original plea agreement if he cooperated but he refused to speak to authorities.

Both Engler and Surmick asked the court to impose a consecutive sentence to the ones Edwards is already serving. Engler also asked for a high end of the standard range sentence be imposed.

Matika said, after reviewing the presentence investigation report prepared by the adult probation office, it is apparent that Edwards, “has a total disregard for human life.” Matika also noted the serious injuries suffered by the victim in the instant case.

Matika said he would impose a consecutive sentence because the case is separate from the other cases Edwards is already serving prison terms.

In addition to the jail term, Matika ordered Edwards to supply a DNA sample, make restitution of $2,100 to the victim, get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, pay court costs of about $1,000 and have no contact with the victim.