Posted on 10/24/2009 5:10:04 PM PDT by GinaLolaB
MORRISTOWN, N.J. A janitor was charged with murder Saturday in the slaying of a priest whose body was found in the rectory of his northern New Jersey church.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said that 64-year-old Jose Feliciano stabbed and cut the Rev. Ed Hinds 32 times on Thursday after the pair argued. Bianchi would not provide further details about the argument.
The 61-year-old Hinds was in his clerical robes when he was killed while in the rectory kitchen of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Chatham. Hinds' body was found at about 8 a.m. Friday after he failed to show up for Mass.
"Mr. Feliciano had gotten into an argument with the pastor at approximately 5 p.m. the night before," Bianchi said. "It was during that altercation that the pastor was assaulted. Mr. Feliciano grabbed a knife inside of the rectory and inflicted the multiple stab wounds that led to the unfortunate demise of the pastor."
Feliciano, who had worked at the church for 17 years, was arrested Saturday. He also faces weapons charges.
Bianchi said investigators found the priest's cell phone, bloody clothing and a bloody towel at Feliciano's Easton, Pa., home.
Bianchi said Feliciano was one of two people who said they found the body, and drew the suspicion of investigators when he made a halfhearted attempt at CPR on Hinds. They also said Feliciano's son graduated from the church's school and that his daughter is a student there.
The priest had wounds on his upper torso, the back of his body and his head that were created by a kitchen knife, officials said. Hinds also had defensive wounds on his hands and face, Bianchi said. An autopsy determined that the cause of death was severe trauma.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I wonder if he is a blind guitar player?
Probably Chatham’s first murder in twenty years or more.
Actually he is a blind singer guitar player that was popular many years ago.
Jose Feliciano? How could a blind musician kill anybody? There has to be an accomplice.
Murderer worked at the Church for 17 yrs. His children attended the Church school.
Wonder if the killer was caught stealing from the Church by the Pastor.
What are “clerical robes”? Vestments? A cassock? A bathrobe?
Stupid, religiously illiterate reporters. Most of the time, it’s practically impossible to tell what they’re trying to describe.
Generally indicative a sexual component to the crime.
I don't think we really want or need to know the details of the argument.
You have absolutely NO BASIS on which to make such a despicable insinuation. Multiple stab wounds represent extreme anger, as might be the case after a fourth or fifth reprimand for unsatisfactory work performance. Sadly, violence is hardly unknown in the modern workplace.
We should all pray for the murderer’s wife and children. They are also victims. Their lives have been changed forever.
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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: If they make a mistake, I dont want them punished with a baby.
Confutatis and Lacrimosa
May God have mercy and rest in peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUXmryXHadM
It wasn’t sexual at all. According to police, the argument was about his job. Better not to jump too quickly to conclusions.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/24/priest.killing/
EXCERPT:
Feliciano told police that he entered the rectory around 5 p.m. Thursday, where he and the priest argued, the affidavit said.
The two men got into an argument “over Feliciano’s continued employment,” (prosecutor) Bianchi told CNN.
He said Feliciano “beat him up first, there was also bruising on his face,” said the prosecutor.
Feliciano left Hinds on the kitchen floor and went into the church to get a kitchen “steak or paring” knife, and returned and stabbed the priest, the prosecutor said.
After the slaying, Feliciano said he cleaned up the blood with rags and paper towels and put them in a black bag, which he put in the trash can, the affidavit said.
Feliciano also said he threw away the knife after returning home and destroyed Hinds’ cell phone.
Bianchi said the suspected weapon was found in a field near Feliciano’s home.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091025/ap_on_re_us/us_priest_s_death
“”[Prosecutor]Bianchi told CNN that the two men argued “over Feliciano’s continued employment.” He said Hinds dialed 911 from his cell phone shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday and said he was being attacked and needed help. The call was cut off. The 911 operator called back and Feliciano answered and said “everything’s fine,” Bianchi said. The operator wasn’t able to send authorities because the calls from the cell phone could not be traced, he said.””
Poor box? Candle offering?
Sorry. Should have read to the end.
Every employer should know to have a witness (perhaps head of the Parish Counicil in this case) when reprimanding, or firing, an employee.
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The janitor was about to be fired. The priest called 911 for help. The call was dropped. When the police called back the janitor said everything was fine and no need to send an officer. The police said they were unable to trace the call.
I went to grammar school at St. Patricks, but Jose Feliciano arrived just after I left. Prayers for the pastor.
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