Bears fan slashed & killed at Jax Landing: New information

William Pettry
William Pettry
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Updated: 10/08/2012 12:54 pm
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has just released new information in the deadly fan fight at the Jacksonville Landing over the weekend.

Police tell Action News Matthew Hinson has admitted to murdering Illinois native William Pettry early Sunday morning in a jealous rage.
 Pettry and a friend were in town to attend the Jaguars v. Bears game.
 
At around 12:30 AM Sunday, the two men visited Fionn McCool's Irish pub at the Jacksonville Landing. There, they met Hinson's wife and her friend and the four began talking.
 
Soon after, Matthew Hinson entered the bar, sat on a bench next to Pettry, pulled out a pocket knife and slashed his throat.
 
Pettry was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
 
Lt. Rob Schoonover of the JSO Homicide division says jealousy appears to be the motive.

"For some reason he became jealous, enraged, whatever you want to call it, and approached our victim and according to one of our witnesses, calmly and cold-bloodedly cut the victims throat."

Schoonover says Hinson put the knife back in his pocket, walked out of the pub, got into his car and left the scene. Police pulled him over moments later. Hinson resisted arrest, which caused numerous scratches to his face. Police say Pettry did not have a chance to defend himself.

Action News also spoke with Hinson's newly appointed attorney just moments after his first appearance in a Duval County court, who said they are just beginning their own investigation today.

"We just got appointed to the case," said Refik Eler, Criminal Defense Attorney. "We're taking a look at the bond situation. Taking a look at the facts, but I don't have any other comments.

Action News has found Hinson does not appear to have a history of violence on record with JSO - only a few traffic citations with the latest in 2005.

Hinson was given no bond, and his arraignment has been scheduled for October 30.

A public defender tells Action News Matthew Hinson is a graduate of Orange Park High School and served five years in the Navy.

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