PITTSBURGH — An appeals court has upheld the life prison term imposed on a former armored car guard convicted of murdering his partner to steal $2.3 million from their truck.

The Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected the appeal of 26-year-old Ken Konias Jr., who was sentenced to life without parole in the slaying and 20 years in the February 2012 robbery.

Prosecutors said Konias shot Garda Cash Logistics guard Michael Haines at close range, then used the money to flee Pittsburgh and entertain strippers and prostitutes before he was found hiding in Florida two months later.

Konias said he fired in self-defense.