Custodian Convicted of Killing Chatham Priest Is Sentenced to Life in Prison

By Alexi Friedman
The Star-Ledger
April 20, 2012

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/custodian_convicted_of_killing.html

Jose Felicano defendant; testifies in his own trial for the murder of Father Edward Hines of St. Patrick Church in Chatham, during his trial in Morristown. 11/28/11 Photo Jerry McCrea/The Star-Ledger

The former Chatham church custodian who in December was convicted of fatally stabbing a priest in a case that drew attention for its senselessness and unsubstantiated allegations of sexual blackmail, today was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Jose Feliciano, 66, was sitting down and looked away as Superior Court Judge Thomas Manahan imposed the sentence, which had been mandated by the jury's verdict, before a crowded courtroom in Morristown.

A jury convicted Feliciano of murder and felony murder in the Oct. 22, 2009, attack.

Feliciano stabbed the Rev. Edward Hinds 44 times inside the rectory at St. Patrick Church in Chatham Borough, after the priest fired him, according to testimony. The courtroom today was packed with Hinds' friends and relatives.

At the trial, Feliciano testified he stabbed the 61-year-old Hinds but he said he was provoked and contended it was a passion/provocation manslaughter, not murder.

Feliciano also claimed Hinds provoked him when he fired him less than five months before his planned retirement. The jury also rejected Feliciano’s contention that Hinds had been blackmailing him for four years by forcing him to perform sex acts in exchange for keeping quiet three unresolved criminal charges he faced from 1988 — all involving a minor in Philadelphia.

The prosecutor, Robert Bianchi, who handled the case himself and made an impassioned statement, talking about as a "self- centered narcissist" who tore a "path of carnage" that day he killed Hinds. "He was butchered and I can only imagine what must have been going through Father Ed's mind when he was begging for his life and being tortured."

Bianchi, fighting back his emotions, described Feliciano killed Hinds then tried to ruin his reputation with the allegations of sexual blackmail. It didn't work, he said. "Father Ed dies a martyr for protecting god's children. That's for sure." He added, "I had never seen a person who had such faith and tended to his flock."

In addition to the murder convictions, Feliciano was also found guilty of two counts of robbery, hindering apprehension and two weapons charges. He was charged with robbery and felony murder because he stole Hinds' cell phone when the priest called 911 during the stabbing.