Aug 29, 2002 By Jennifer Harr 2 min read

The Uniontown teen accused of killing a family of four asked Wednesday that his pretrial conference be continued. Assistant District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr. offered 19-year-old Mark D. Edwards Jr. a general plea to first-degree murder. Accepting that plea would forgo any risk of being sentenced to death and incarcerate Edwards for the rest of his life.

Edwards, of 41 Snyder Terrace, is accused of killing Larry Bobish Sr., 50; his wife, Joanna Bobish, 42; the Bobish’s daughter, Krystal, 17; and her unborn son.

State police allege Edwards shot Larry, Joanna and Krystal Bobish, killing them. A lack of oxygen killed the baby. After he shot the three of them, police allege Edwards set their Kennedy Street Extension home on fire April 14.

Edwards is also accused of shooting and cutting 13-year-old Larry Bobish Jr., known as “LJ.” The child escaped the burning home and told police that “Marky” was the one who harmed his family. The child, said police, was also able to pick Edwards out of a photo array.

“LJ” was found outside his family’s home by an off-duty state police corporal who was out delivering papers with his son.

Police said Edwards confessed to the killings and said he shot the Bobishes because he stole drugs from Larry Sr. in the days prior to their deaths.

In July, prosecutors officially filed their notice to seek the death penalty against Edwards if he is convicted of first-degree murder. However, if Edwards, who is represented by Assistant Public Defender Susan Ritz Harper, opts to plead guilty to first-degree murder, he cannot be sentenced to death. Only a jury can make that determination.

In addition to the four homicide charges, Edwards faces one count each of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, arson and burglary.

Edwards remains incarcerated in the county prison.