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	Judge Weighs Use of Confession in New Jersey Priest Slaying Reuters February 9, 2011 http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/09/us-crime-janitor-idUSTRE7187IS20110209 A New Jersey judge is weighing the admissibility at trial of a confession in the case of a janitor accused of killing a local priest, authorities said on Wednesday. Jose Feliciano, 65, of Easton, Pennsylvania, is charged with murder and robbery in the October 22, 2009 stabbing death of Rev. Edward Hinds at St. Patrick's Church in Chatham, New Jersey. Ahead of a trial, Morris County Superior Court Judge Thomas Manahan is deciding the admissibility of statements the janitor made to police following the slaying. A hearing before the judge to review remaining testimony and his taped statements is set to continue on Thursday. According to transcripts released in the courtroom and reported by local media, Feliciano said he was trying to end a four-year sexual relationship with the priest, who was threatening to fire him. But prosecutors contend the priest was going to fire the janitor over a separate matter. Manahan earlier this week denied a motion to suppress phone records used to track Feliciano and also will allow prosecutors to admit Feliciano's criminal history if he testifies, case supervisor Scott Culhane said on Wednesday. Once the judge makes a decision on allowing the confession, a trial date could be set shortly thereafter, Culhane said. (Reporting by Lauren Keiper; Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Jerry Norton)
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