Nov 4, 2009 3:00 pm US/Pacific
Slain Priest Heard In Background Of 9-1-1 Call
Father Edward Hinds Speaks To Dispatcher Before Alleged Killer Intervenes
By ROB MORRISON, CBS 2 HD News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Father Edward Hinds was murdered inside St. Patrick's Church in Chatham, N.J. on Oct. 23, 2009. He was 61.
CBS
On Wednesday CBS station WCBS-TV got a chilling inside view of a killing in progress.
New Jersey State Police released the 9-1-1 tapes from the murder of a beloved priest.
In the tapes, Father Edward Hinds unsuccessfully tries to call for help after the attack that claimed his life. The church janitor, his alleged killer, can also be heard, police say.
The initial call from Father Hinds' cell phone was made at 5:27 p.m. The voice, presumably Hinds', struggles to give the St. Patrick's Church address in Chatham to a female dispatcher. Static eventually fills the line; a plea for "help" is faintly heard before the line goes dead.
Dispatcher: "9-1-1, where is your emergency?"
Hinds: "Washington Avenue."
Dispatcher: "Washington Avenue?"
Hinds: "Help!"
Dispatcher: "Hello? Hello?"
The operator calls back, first reaching Hinds' voicemail.
On the second try the alleged killer, Jose Feliciano, picks up, telling the dispatcher there is no emergency, even as Hinds can be heard again protesting in the background.
Feliciano: "Hello?"
Dispatcher: "Sir, this is the State Police. You called 9-1-1. Do you have an emergency?"
Feliciano: "No, we don't, thank you."
Hinds: "Yes, we do."
Feliciano: "Hello, no, thank you."
Dispatcher: "All right."
No police services were dispatched, partly because the call was made from a cell phone and there was no way to know where the call was coming from. Police said an investigation is underway, but they believe procedures were properly followed.
Feliciano has been charged with murder. He was arraigned last week and is being held on $1 million bail -- cash only.
The stabbing was reportedly the result of an argument over the longtime janitor's continued employment at the church.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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