Burlington stab victim dies, suspect charged with murder

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP - The death of the victim of an October 29 stabbing here, raises the most serious charge against the defendant to first-degree murder.

William Hines, 34, also faces weapons charges related to the death of Scott Willis, 54, following the bloodshed in the apartment they shared, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina. The case will be presented to a grand jury as a prologue for a possible trial.

Hines was arrested October 30, and originally charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawuful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He has been incarcerated in Burlington County Jail since the arrest.

After Willis died in hospitalization November 4, an autopsy conducted by the Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office arrived at the conclusion that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds, and the manner of death was homicide.

Hines and Willis lived in the Brittany Court section of the Chateau Apartments, on Sunset Road.

According to authorities, officers who were summoned to the apartment just after 10 AM found Willis prone on the bathroom floor, with stab wounds and lacerations about the face, upper chest, hands and arms. Hines had disappeared from the apartment, police said.

After on-scene treatment by Burlington Township police, Endeavor Emergency Squad members and Virtua paramedics, Willis was rushed to Cooper University Medical Center in Camden, and was categorized in critical condition.

Detective Michael Reagan of the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office and Burlington Township PD Detective Michael Casella headed the investigaiton.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocend unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

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