HAZLETON - City police and the state Office of Attorney General on Friday have charged Amir Edwards, 22, with the fatal stabbing of 27-year-old Zachary Richards.

Zachary Richards was the brother of Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Justin Richards.Edwards, of Hazleton, is charged with an open count of criminal homicide, which was filed with District Judge Joseph Zola in Hazleton.Edwards is also facing charges of aggravated assault, robbery, criminal conspiracy, theft and simple assault for attacking a clerk at the Tresckow Superfood store on South Walnut Street, Tresckow, Carbon County, Wednesday night.An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Gary Ross found Zachary Richards died from a stab wound to the back. The manner of death was ruled a homicide, the coroner's office said.Hazleton police said Zachary Richards was found at 615 Cleveland St. just before 6 a.m. Several people were assisted out of the house by the city fire department.District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said her office was contacted by city police regarding the stabbing, and she immediately assigned detectives to the case to assist the city police."We quickly learned that the deceased victim was the brother of one of our Assistant District Attorneys. The incident is not believed to be related in any way to the victim's brother being an Assistant District Attorney/prosecutor or to the District Attorney's Office in general," Salavantis said in a news release."Naturally, this case is a tragic loss for the victim's family and obviously has been very emotional for them. Additionally, the murder of a fellow Assistant District Attorney's family member has been very emotional and difficult on our entire staff," Salavantis said.The news release noted that Salavantis decided it was "in the best interest for everyone involved" that the case be referred to the Office of Attorney General.Attorney General Kathleen Kane has assigned investigators and a Deputy Attorney General to handle the matter, and Salavantis has pledged "complete support" to Kane's office and city police in whatever assistance they may need or request from her office."Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family, and we hope that the perpetrator(s) will be quickly brought to justice," Salavantis said.Copyright , The Associated Press