Priest accused of stabbing fellow cleric may avoid criminal charges

A New Jersey priest accused of stabbing another cleric may avoid criminal charges after completing a pretrial intervention programme, his attorney announced Wednesday.

Reverend Frank Hreno was accepted into the one-year probationary programme and must complete counselling as a condition.

Hreno, 51, allegedly stabbed Reverend Emeka Okwuosa, 37, at the Vocationist Fathers Retreat and Conference Center in Florham Park in April 2014.

Hreno argued with Okwuosa over a car Hreno had leased. Okwuosa allegedly believed the vehicle was for community use, but it was not.

The confrontation turned physical, and Hreno allegedly stabbed the cleric in the arm with a crucifix attached to a staff. Hreno claimed Okwuosa hurt himself by throwing his arm through a glass door. Okwuosa's injury required 29 stitches.

Hreno's attorney, Peter Gilbreth, said his client moved out of Vocationist Retreat and in with his parents following the incident. Okwuosa has also moved out of the facility.

It has not yet been determined whether Hreno will be permitted to move back into the centre.

Although rare, violent confrontations between parishioners is not unheard of.

In September 2013, a former deacon shot and killed Pastor Ronald Harris Sr during a revival service at Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Woodrow Karey told police that about a week before the shooting, he found incriminating text messages between his wife and the pastor.

His wife allegedly told him that Harris had raped her several months prior, and she went to the police with her allegation two days before the killing.

Karey faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter.