VIDEO: Prosecutor 'Honored' to Help Put Feliciano Away

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi, along with family and friends of the Rev. Edward Hinds, held a press conference outside the courtroom in which convicted murderer Jose Feliciano was sentenced to life without parole.

Bianchi said the trial was an "angry and disgusting thing. ... It was bad enough he murdered the man, he murdered his reputation afterwards."

Feliciano was sentenced Friday after being found guilty of seven counts related to the murder of Hinds, known to his parish as "Father Ed," who was formerly the pastor at St. Patrick Church in Chatham Borough.

Feliciano stabbed Hinds 44 times in the evening of Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Hinds' body was found the following morning.

Hinds' cousin, Daniel Silas Miller, and friends Judith and Richard Conk, spoke at Feliciano's sentencing, along with Michelle Lowe, a member of St. Patrick Church. All testified to Hinds' gentle, loving nature and his ability to guide his congregation in their faith.

"Listening to these folks, it's just a very overwhelming feeling of honor to have been part of a process to make sure this man was put away for the rest of his life," Bianchi said.

The Diocese of Paterson, of which St. Patrick Church is a participating parish, issued a press release Friday calling Feliciano's sentence of life in prison without parole "well justified. It brings closure to the grieving of his family, the parishioners of St. Patrick in Chatham, his friends and the entire diocese."

The Conks, Miller, Lowe and the diocese each thanked Bianchi and the entire Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the detectives and all who participated in the investigation, trial and sentencing.