Accused Murderer Due Back in Court Wednesday

Accused murderer Jose Feliciano is scheduled be back in court Wednesday, this time at a status conference during which attorneys are expected to discuss where things currently stand in the case.

Scott Culhane, who works in the office of state Superior Court Judge Thomas Manahan, said Tuesday the status conference was scheduled so Manahan, who has presided over the case, could see where things are in terms of filing motions and "getting things moving along."

Culhane cautioned the court date could still potentially be moved at the last minute. But for now, it is still scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday morning in state Superior Court in Morristown.

It would be the second time Feliciano, who is accused of killing St. Patrick's Church pastor Edward Hinds, has appeared in court in the past month. He was in court June 23.

During that appearance, Morris County prosecutors said they are looking to unseal a prior New York court case involving Feliciano they said is relevant to the current case.

Feliciano pleaded not guilty to six charges March 3.

He has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of unlawful weapon possession, one count of third-degree robbery and one count of hindering one's own apprehension. The robbery and hindering counts stem from charges that he stole Hinds' cellular phone during the murder and from allegations that an outstanding warrant had been issued for his arrest some 20 years prior.

Manahan said during Feliciano's March court appearance Feliciano has been charged with carrying out the murder in a wanton and vile fashion in a manner that included torture. That could mean he could qualify for life without parole if convicted.

Hinds was found dead in the St Patrick's Church kitchen Oct. 23 after he failed to show up for morning Mass. Feliciano was arrested the next day.