By Ben Horowitz
The Star-Ledger
February 10, 2011
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/defense_argues_investigator_tr.html
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| Jose Feliciano, seated, of Easton, Pa., former Custodian of St. Patrick Church in Chatham, appears in Superior Court, Morristown, for a status conference hearing on charges that he murdered Rev. Edward Hinds in the church rectory in October. Morristown, NJ Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger |
A defense attorney tried to prove today that an investigator tricked Jose Feliciano into believing he would get favorable treatment if he told the truth about the death of the Rev. Edward Hinds.
Feliciano, 65, of Easton, Pa., the former custodian at St. Patrick Church in Chatham, is accused of murder in the Oct. 22, 2009 stabbing death of Hinds, the parish priest.
Public defender Neill Hamilton pointed out that when Capt. Jeffrey Paul of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office started interviewing Feliciano at Morristown Memorial Hospital, he told him he had a relative in the hospital, even though it wasn’t true.
Paul said he was trying to “gain a rapport” with Feliciano before asking him questions about the slaying of the priest. “I was talking to a killer, I didn’t have a problem,” Paul said.
Feliciano wound up confessing to the killing, saying he did it because the priest was going to fire him for ending a sexual affair. The prosecution contends Hinds was preparing to fire Feliciano after learning he was a fugitive from a 1988 Pennsylvania charge of indecent assault on a 7-year-old girl.
Hamilton also pointed out that Paul told Feliciano his family would benefit if Feliciano told the truth. Paul replied that he did make an effort to ensure that Feliciano’s daughter stayed in St. Patrick School after the killing.
Hamilton said Paul made Feliciano feel so comfortable during the Oct. 24, 2009 interview, Feliciano didn't want Paul to leave the room and also said he hoped Paul would be present when his case went to court.
Paul pointed out that he was in court today, but Judge Thomas Manahan said, “It’s fair to say” Feliciano didn’t expect it would be “under these circumstances.”
Hamilton questioned Paul during the final portion of a pretrial hearing in Superior Court in Morristown in which the prosecution is seeking to prove Feliciano made his statements voluntarily, so that it may use those statements in his trial.
During the interview with Paul, which was played in court on audiotape and a video recording, Paul advised Feliciano several times of his right to remain silent and his right to have an attorney.
The attorneys are scheduled to make final arguments in the hearing next Thursday.
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