Accused Murderer Still Waits for Psychiatric Exam

Accused murderer Jose Feliciano's attorney Neill Hamilton said in a status hearing before Judge David Ironson Wednesday morning that a psychiatric examination for his client was still pending.

Hamilton has not heard whether the cost of the exam has been approved by the state Office of the Public Defender.

Hamilton also discussed legal motions in the case, including a motion to suppress cellular phone records and a motion that Feliciano's Miranda rights were violated. Hamilton alleged that Feliciano was taking Xanax and was in a psychiatric ward at the time he was questioned by investigators from the Morris County Prosecutors Office.

Assistant Prosecutor David Bruno said that Feliciano was "not in the psychiatric ward for (mental) incapacity, but for security reasons."

The motions in the case will be heard between Oct. 18 and Oct. 23 in Judge Thomas Manahan's court. Manahan is the presiding judge in the case but was not in court Wednesday. His calendar was called in Ironson's court.

Feliciano stands accused of murdering the Rev. Edward Hinds, the pastor at St. Patrick's Church. He will appear for another status hearing on Oct. 6.