Priest Killed, Janitor Charged. Police Investigate

The priest was found dead at 8 AM Friday morning in his rectory.

CHATHAM, NJ (Catholic Online) - The Media is filled with reports concerning the horrific murder of the beloved parish priest whom parishioners called "Fr. Ed", 61 year old Catholic Priest, Rev. Edward Hinds.

The priest was found dead at 8 AM Friday morning in his rectory. He was dressed in clerical clothes. Parishioners became alarmed when he had failed to show up for morning Mass.

The latest reports indicate that the police have arrested 64-year-old Jose Feliciano, the janitor at the parish. They allege that he violently and repeatedly stabbed the parish priest, wounding him 32 times on Thursday evening.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi told reporters, "Mr. Feliciano had gotten into an argument with the pastor at approximately 5 p.m. the night before....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."

Jose Feliiciano, the janitor at St. Patrick's Church in Chatham, had worked for the parish for 17 years. He was one of those who found the body and called the Police.

The investigators grew suspicious due to what they found to be a "halfhearted attempt at CPR". His son graduated from the parish school and his daughter is currently enrolled.

The priest had been stabbed repeatedly with a kitchen knife. His body had defensive wounds indicating his struggle and efforts to save his own life. The cause of his death was violent trauma caused by the violent attack.

Further details are not available.

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