Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 34-year-old Burlington Township resident was indicted today on murder and weapons charges for fatally stabbing a man inside their residence last year.
William Hines Jr., 34, was indicted on one count each of Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree).
The indictment was returned today and signed by First Assistant Prosecutor Philip S. Aronow. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court in Mount Holly. Hines has been in the Burlington County Jail since his arrest on Oct. 30, 2017.
The investigation began after Burlington Township police officers were called to the residence in the Chateau Apartments on Sunset Road just after 10 a.m. on Oct. 29 for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival officers discovered the victim, 54-year-old Scott Willis, on the bathroom floor suffering from multiple stab wounds and lacerations to his face, upper chest, hands and arms.
The victim was treated at the scene by members of the Burlington Township Police Department, Endeavor Emergency Squad and Virtua Paramedics prior to being transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was listed in critical condition after being admitted.
Hines fled the apartment but was apprehended on Oct. 30 and charged with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
Scott Willis passed away on Nov. 4 at Cooper. An autopsy performed by the Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob VanGilst, supervisor of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit. The investigation was conducted by the BCPO Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit, along with the Burlington Township Police Department. The lead investigators were BCPO Detective Michael Reagan and Burlington Township Detective Michael Casella.
