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Janitor Arrested in New Jersey Murder of Priest Ed Hinds

By Pete Kotz in homicide
Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 10:25 am
Father-Ed-Hinds-walking-dog.jpg
Father Ed was found stabbed 32 times in the church rectory
​Jose Feliciano, a janitor who had worked for 17 years at St. Patrick's Church in Chatham, New Jersey, has been arrested in the murder of Father Ed Hinds. Police say Feliciano stabbed the priest 32 times in the church rectory Thursday night.

The two men apparently were arguing "over Feliciano's continued employment," says Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi. Though the murder was originally thought to have occurred between 11 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Friday morning, police now say they received a 911 call from Father Ed at about 5 p.m. Thursday evening. He said he being attacked and needed help, but the call was cut off.

A 911 dispatcher called back, but Feliciano answered and told the dispatcher that everything was kosher. Since the call came from a cell phone, it couldn't be traced... 


Jose-Feliciano.jpg
Police found the priest's cell phone and bloody clothes in Jose Feliciano's home
​

Feliciano, along with another parishioner, went looking for the priest when he didn't show up for 8 a.m. Mass on Friday. Father Ed was found dead in the church rectory. But police became suspicious when they arrived to find Feliciano performing half-hearted CPR on the priest, who'd obviously been dead for hours.

During a subsequent search of the janitor's home, they found the priest's cell phone, bloody clothing and bloody towels. In addition to working at the church for 17 years, Feliciano also sent two kids to St. Patrick's school.

Father Ed was found with stab wounds on his torso, back and head.

Also see Father Ed Hinds Found Murdered in St. Patrick's Church Rectory

Tags: New Jersey, Religion

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