I know Chatham, New Jersey, but then I don’t know Chatham, N.J. My cousin lives there and as such I am familiar with the demographic–affluent, educated, the kind of place where vandalism can garner major attention. In fact, sometimes I joke with my cousin, sardonically referring to the excitement there.
And then a custodian is suspected of murdering the church minister, and everything is different. At the time of the murder, the suspect was dodging a 1988 case in Pennsylvania where he assaulted a seventeen-year-old girl. Apparently that wasn’t enough, as the custodian allegedly stabbed the church minister to death.
The article on NJ.Com reported the custodian who worked at St. Patrick’s elementary school as well as the church, was the only employee or volunteer at St. Patrick who hadn’t met the requirements for background checks set by the Diocese of Paterson for those who have contact with children. Apparently, he avoided the background check requirement for quite some time. This would not be the first time a convicted felon was able to put off the background check and keep working. Sadly, their past criminal records are usually discovered after they commit a crime.
In this case, the custodian is reported to have confessed to the murder. Morris County Assistant Prosecutor John McNamara Jr. is seeking to prove that the custodian stabbed the minister because the priest was preparing to fire him after learning of his criminal background. The custodian claims he stabbed the church minister during an argument after the priest threatened to fire him for ending a four-year sexual affair. The county DA is buying it and considers the custodian’s account to be self serving as it would show motives base don emotion and possible provocation, rather than cold blooded murder.
Had there been the background check, perhaps this tragedy could have possibly been avoided.
