Beauty and the Priest - Cleric indicted for murder in cold case from 1960

Former priest charged with cold case murder.

A former priest has been indicted for a 1960 cold case murder of a woman. According to Texas authorities, then 27-year-old priest, John Feit, heard the confession of Irene Garza, then asphyxiated her afterwards. Her body was found in a canal days later. Feit will now be tried for the crime, more than 60 years later.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network)- The night before Easter, 1960, a 25-year-old beauty queen from McAllen, Texas, went to confession at Sacred Heart Church. She was never seen alive again. Five days later, police pulled her body from a canal. Apparently she had been asphyxiated. Evidence also suggested she was raped and beaten. Police found a candelabra from the church near her body.

Police quickly identified the priest, John Feit as their primary suspect, but did not have enough evidence to charge him. They administered a polygraph test, which he failed, but that alone was not enough evidence. In 1960, priests were almost considered untouchable. The scandal rocked the community and would remain in the headlines for years to come. Although police never charged Feit with a crime, the Church moved him away to prevent scandal.

According to police, Feit had assaulted a woman the month prior to encountering Garza. He was charged with a misdemeanor and fined $500 for that incident. It was a curious indicator that something was wrong with Feit -he had the capacity for assault.

After several years, the case simply went cold. Without leads, the file was forgotten by police, but not by Garza's cousins. Over the years, they worked to keep the police aware of the cold case and pressed them to charge Feit. In 2002, the file was picked up by a cold case unit. Authorities decided to reexamine him. Feit was called for questioning and grilled at length.

Authorities thought they had a breakthrough when two witnesses came forward to claim they heard Feit confess. However, the District Attorney did not feel their testimony was credible, so the case languished.

Now, in 2016, a Grand Jury has finally been given the opportunity to review the case. Their conclusion was that it could go ahead for trial. According to the indictment Feit, "with malice aforethought, [caused] the death of Irene Garza by asphyxiation in a manner and means unknown to the grand jury."

Feit was found living in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is now 83 and uses a walker to get around. He left he priesthood many years ago, but has continued volunteering with a local St. Vincent dePaul chapter. He was arrested without incident and is being held in a Maricopa County jail on first degree murder charges. His bond is set at $750,000 and he has vowed to fight extradition to Texas. During his appearance, he spoke slowly and appeared confused. It appears he will likely remain in jail.

The precise motive, scene of the crime, and specific method of killing remain unknown, so the case is not as open-and-shut as prosecutors may like. Also, Feit has no subsequent record of criminal activity. His conviction may come down to the testimony of the witnesses and the credibility of their stories. Feit is certainly innocent until proven guilty. Ultimately, God will judge such deeds and while men are fallible and justice sometimes eludes its seekers on Earth, it is perfect in heaven, may justice be served.

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