Exam sought for accused killer
The death penalty attorney for accused killer Mark D. Edwards Jr. will appear in Fayette County Court this morning to request that a psychiatrist be appointed to examine him before the case goes to trial. Attorney Dianne H. Zerega requested that the county pay an estimated $2,000 for a psychiatric evaluation because Edwards does not have the money to pay for the examination himself. He is represented by the public defender’s office and Zerega was appointed to represent him in the penalty phase of his trial.
Edwards, 20, of 41 Snyder Terrace, Uniontown, allegedly fatally shot Larry Bobish Sr., 50; his wife, Joanna, 42; and their daughter, Krystal, 17 on April 14. In addition, Krystal Bobish’s unborn son died. Edwards in charged in all four deaths and faces the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder.
He is also charged with attempted homicide for shooting and stabbing Larry “LJ” Bobish Jr., 12, the son of Larry Sr. and Joanna Bobish. After he allegedly shot the family members, Edwards set their Kennedy Street Extension, North Union Township home on fire, said police.
Bobish Jr. escaped the burning house and was found by an off-duty state police corporal delivering newspapers in the area with his sons. The youngster later identified “Marky” as the man who killed his family and injured him.
Police believe Edwards killed the family to cover up the theft of drugs from the elder Bobish. He could go to trial as early as June, according to court records.