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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Janitor Charged in NJ Priest's Stabbing Death

He confesses, citing argument; cops probe possible relationship

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(Newser) – A janitor and "second father" to kids at a New Jersey Catholic church has been charged in the murder of a beloved parish priest, who he rushed to halfheartedly give CPR when he and church workers discovered the body. Jose Feliciano told police he and Father Ed Hinds had argued before he beat and stabbed him 32 times; Feliciano said he then took the dead cleric's cell phone, along with bloody clothes and rags he used to clean the scene, and caught a ride home with his wife.

Police did not describe the nature of the argument, but said they were investigating a possible relationship between the two men. After authorities traced the cell phone to the Pennsylvania town where Feliciano lives, he directed them to a garbage can in a nearby park, where he had disposed of the knife, cell phone, and rags.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi holds up a photo of Jose Feliciano in Morristown, NJ, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. Feliciano is being held in connection with the death of Rev. Ed Hinds.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi holds up a photo of Jose Feliciano in Morristown, NJ, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. Feliciano is being held in connection with the death of Rev. Ed Hinds.   (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Rev. Edward Hinds was found slain Friday morning in his clerical robes in the rectory of his northern New Jersey parish.
Rev. Edward Hinds was found slain Friday morning in his clerical robes in the rectory of his northern New Jersey parish.   (AP Photo/Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson, N.J.)
Jose Feliciano of Easton, Pa. Feliciano was charged with murder Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 in the slaying of a Catholic priest.
Jose Feliciano of Easton, Pa. Feliciano was charged with murder Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 in the slaying of a Catholic priest.   (AP Photo/Courtesy of Morris County Prosecutors Office)
Flowers lie outside St. Patrick's Church in Chatham, NJ, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. The church's pastor, Re. Ed Hinds was found dead after being stabbed 32 times.
Flowers lie outside St. Patrick's Church in Chatham, NJ, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. The church's pastor, Re. Ed Hinds was found dead after being stabbed 32 times.   (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
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8 comments
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Mia
Oct 25, 09 8:40 AM CDT
Stabbing indicates much hatred and is typical of homosexual homicides, especially when overkill is involved. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Mia
Oct 25, 09 8:41 AM CDT
anger, not hatred.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
RobN
Oct 25, 09 7:31 PM CDT
Typical of homosexual homicides? Any facts on which to base this statement? Cause it's pretty offensive.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Mia
Oct 26, 09 8:26 AM CDT
Sure Rob. Sorry to offend you. """It has been my experience that male homosexual homicides involving interpersonal violence often present patterns of injures which can best be described as overkill....I would suggest that these..lover quarrels manifest a level of violence due to the fact that the parties involved in the emotional conflict are both "biologically engineered" sexual aggressors." -Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, rocedures, and Forensic Techniques. 3rd Edition Vernon J. Geberth Copywrite Is that good enough for you?
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Silverbow7
Oct 25, 09 10:45 AM CDT
I know what first came to mind... now I can't wait to get the facts as to what really happened. Reply
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+3

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