Kansas City, Kan. ? A Lawrence man and a suspect in a Douglas County murder case was sentenced Monday to 63 months in federal prison in an unrelated firearms case.

Major Edwards, 28, pleaded guilty in January to one count of unlawful possession of a sawed-off shotgun. He was convicted in Douglas County eight years ago on a felony charge of selling cocaine.

Last month, Edwards was one of two people charged in Douglas County with first-degree murder in the death of Anthony “Clacc” Vital. In October 2006, Vital, a hip-hop music artist, was found dead from gunshot wounds on private property west of Lawrence.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said he is working with federal authorities to bring Edwards to Lawrence to stand trial.