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Ex-priest Arrested in Scottsdale in 1960 Murder of Texas Beauty Queen

By Christopher Silavong
Arizona Republic
February 9, 2016

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/breaking/2016/02/10/police-ex-priest-arrested-scottsdale-1960-murder-texas-beauty-queen/80099120/

Father John Feit arrested for 1960 murder of beauty queen

An 83-year-old former priest was arrested on Tuesday in Scottsdale in connection with the 1960 slaying of a Texas beauty queen, authorities said.

John Feit was booked into 4th Avenue Jail in Phoenix and is awaiting extradition to Hidalgo County, Texas, where he is facing a murder charge, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

His bond was set at $750,000.

In a statement released Tuesday night, sheriff's spokesman Joaquin Enriquez said deputies assisted the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office and the Texas Rangers in making the arrest.

Irene Garza was 25 years old when her body was found in a canal in April 1960. At the time, Feit was a Catholic priest and considered a lead in the case. He left the priesthood, but accusations of his alleged involvement in Garza's death lingered.

Feit, a longtime Arizona resident, has continued to deny any involvement.

Authorities say Garza visited Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen, where Feit was a priest, on April 16, 1960. Garza, who was Miss All South Texas Sweetheart 1958, had planned to go to confession that evening but never returned home. Her body was found days later in an irrigation canal.

According to an autopsy, Garza died from a head injury.

Feit was a suspect in the killing. The case was reopened in 2004 but a grand jury did not indict the former priest. He was never arrested or charged in the case.

Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez said he presented the case against Feit to a grand jury last week.

Rodriguez said: "We felt that we had sufficient evidence to present to a grand jury. It was presented last week, and they came back with a true bill."

 

 

 

 

 




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