CHATHAM — A Superior Court judge in Morristown is expected to rule next week on whether a former church custodian’s confession to killing a Chatham priest may be used in his trial. A Morris County assistant prosecutor argued Thursday the statements should be allowed, saying Jose Feliciano’s recorded confession to stabbing the Rev. Edward Hinds of St. Patrick Church...
Jose Feliciano looks toward Ana Tent, one of his two attorneys as he appears in Superior Court n Morristown for a pre-trial motion hearing. Feliciano is accused of stabbing to death the Rev. Edward Hinds, a Chatham priest. CHATHAM — A Superior Court judge in Morristown is expected to rule next week on whether a former church custodian’s confession to killing a Chatham priest may be used in his trial.
A Morris County assistant prosecutor argued Thursday the statements should be allowed, saying Jose Feliciano’s recorded confession to stabbing the Rev. Edward Hinds of St. Patrick Church was "voluntary" and was not coerced.
Feliciano’s attorney, public defender Neill Hamilton, is trying to get Feliciano’s confession thrown out. He claims Feliciano was tricked into thinking he would get better treatment if he cooperated with Capt. Jeffrey Paul of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and didn’t bring in a lawyer.
Feliciano, 65, of Easton, Pa., is accused of murder in the Oct. 22, 2009 stabbing.
As the hearing concluded Thursday, Judge Thomas Manahan indicated it did not appear Paul had made any specific promises to help Feliciano if he cooperated.
Hamilton pointed out that Feliciano said that if he went to prison, "Who’s gonna care for me? Nobody. Nobody’s gonna care for my family."
Paul replied, "I do care. I have two kids and you have two kids."
Feliciano then asked Paul if he would be present for his court case, and Paul said, "If you want me to be."
Manahan pointed out, "It’s not as if Capt. Paul said, ‘I will be in court for you.’ ’’
Although Feliciano may have "inferred" that Paul would help him, it was Feliciano who initiated that part of the conversation, and not Paul, Manahan said.
Previous coverage:
• Prosecutor: Chatham priest slaying suspect's recorded confession should be allowed in trial
• Defense argues investigator tricked janitor into confessing he killed Chatham priest
• Janitor accused of killing Chatham priest details alleged 4-year sexual relationship
• Janitor accused of killing Chatham priest confessed to crime 2 days later, transcript shows
• Pennsylvania man accused of killing Chatham priest will not pursue insanity defense
• Prosecutors may use slain Chatham priest's cell phone as evidence in case
• Authorities arrest father, son in Plainfield fatal stabbing