MOUNT HOLLY – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Burlington Township resident was found guilty today of murder and weapons charges for fatally stabbing his mother’s boyfriend following an argument inside their residence in late 2017.
William E. Hines Jr., who turned 35 today, was convicted 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 Honorable Charles A. Delehey, J.S.C., scheduled sentencing for November 8.
“This was a calculated, brutal attack, and has taken a tremendous toll on this family,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “We appreciate the jury’s careful attention to the evidence in this case, and commend Assistant Prosecutors Bob VanGilst and Jensen E. Vizzard for their outstanding trial presentation.”
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 October 29, 2017 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 October 30. He was initially charged with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. The charges were upgraded to Murder after Scott Willis passed away at Cooper on November 4.
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. The lead Crime Scene Unit investigator was Detective Tim Horne.