JACKSONVILLE, Fla -- An Orange Park High School graduate and former member of the Navy is now being called a cold-blooded murderer.
Matthew Hinson of San Marco was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly slashing another man's neck in a crowded pub.
The victim, William Pettry, was in town from Chicago for the Jaguars/Bears football game. Action News has learned this wasn't an all-out bar brawl. Actually, most people inside Fionn MacCool's at the Jacksonville Landing had no idea what was happening.
Police tell Action News that Hinson calmly reached over, sliced open Pettry's throat, then got up and walked out of the bar.
Reportedly Hinson's demeanor hasn't changed since Saturday night, as he walked into his first appearance Monday morning calm and collected.
"According to one of the eyewitnesses, he calmly and basically cold-bloodedly cut the victim's throat and calmly walked out the door," said JSO Lt. Rob Schoonover.
Police are calling it a fit of jealousy. Hinson arrived at Fionn MacCool's and found his wife talking with Pettry and another friend. And before anyone noticed what was happening, Hinson killed Pettry in the middle of the crowded bar.
"At this point, we don't know what words were exchanged because it was just the victim and suspect sitting on a bench inside the bar," Lt. Schoonover said.
No one was home when Action News paid Hinson's house a visit on Monday. But his neighborhood is in shock.
"You never know who your neighbors are, wow," said Christy Pellicer.
Pellicer says as a mother, she's mortified by what she's heard.
"I'm at a loss for words. That's right across the street and we have a 5-year-old and 1-year-old."
Moments after Hinson appeared before a judge for the first time Monday morning, Action News caught up with his attorney.
"We just got appointed to the case and we're taking a look at the bond situation," said Refik Eler. "Taking a look at the facts, but I don't have any other comments."
But neighbors are commenting, wondering what could ever make a person do that.
"I just don't know what's wrong with people," Pellicer said. "That is, who does that?"
In court Monday morning, Hinson's face was lined with cuts and scrapes. Police say that's because they caught up with him in his truck after the incident and he resisted arrest to the point they had to take him to the ground. At the station, police say he confessed. But according to the police report, he says he doesn't remember his reasons for doing it.
Action News has done some digging and Hinson does not appear to have a history of violence. His record with police only lists a few traffic citations.
He's being held in jail with no bond.
