Killer of Durham priest pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Matthew John Reed entered a Durham courtroom Monday and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 71-year-old priest Kent Hinkson.
Reed had been charged with first-degree murder. His defense attorney said Reed wanted the plea deal because he wanted to spare his family, as well as Hinkson's family, a lengthy trial. The pain of that trial, he said, was pain he didn't want to inflict on anyone else.
"He was devastated by what he did, to what it did to the victim's family ... about the agony it's caused his own family and because of what he did - violating God's law and God's will," Defense Attorney Jonathan Broun said.
In court Monday, both sides said Reed is remorseful and has been since Hinkson's body was found on Aug. 10, 2014 in a heavily wooded area of Eno River State Park about 15 miles from his home.
According to search warrants in the case, Hinkson left his home the afternoon of Aug. 4 and told his family he was going to visit a pharmacy and make a deposit at a Durham bank. That was the last time relatives saw him alive.
The D.A. said Hinkson originally met Reed on a gay website, before meeting in person at a restaurant, then ending up at the Eno River State Park.
Hinkson's family had to hear intimate details about that night in court. They said some of the details were a surprise to them.
Investigators said Reed threatened to reveal their rendezvous and asked for hush money. They said he became angry that night, beat Hinkson - fracturing his skull - before strangling him and taking his car.
In court, Hinkson's children told Reed that they forgive him.
"We want you to know that we forgive you," Hinkson's daughter tearfully said. "We are able to forgive, because Christ Jesus has forgiven us and has given us faith to trust Him. We pray that you will find faith in Him too, and that you will have true peace."
Reed wiped away tears during the hearing. His family told ABC11 that they are so sorry about the murder.
Hinkson served at Durham's Anglican All Saints Church.
