The perpetrator’s charge was changed from attempted homicide to murder in the first degree
Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Burlington Township Public Safety Director Bruce Painter announced today that the victim of a stabbing that occurred last weekend has died, and the man arrested for committing the attack has been charged with homicide.
A criminal complaint was signed last night by the Hon. Philip E. Haines, J.S.C., charging William Hines, 34, of Burlington Township, with one count of first degree murder for fatally stabbing Scott Willis, 54, on Oct. 29 at the residence they shared in Burlington Township.
The new charge followed an autopsy performed yesterday by the Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office that concluded the manner of death was homicide and the cause was multiple stab wounds.
Hines remains in the Burlington County Jail, where he was lodged after his arrest on Oct. 30. He will face a detention hearing in the near future. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury.
The investigation began after Burlington Township police officers were called to the residence just after 10 a.m. on Oct. 29 for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim on the bathroom floor with 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 was initially charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The process to upgrade the charges against Hines began after Willis died Nov. 4.
The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit, along with the Burlington Township Police Department. The lead investigators are BCPO Detective Michael Reagan and Burlington Township Detective Michael Casella.
