Last October, a Bears fan who traveled from Illinois to Jacksonville was killed by a local man who has since pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The killer will now try to obtain a reduced sentence by pointing to mitigating factors.
According to Larry Hannan of the Florida Times-Union, 28-year-old Matthew Reid Hinson will point to alcohol abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder at his sentencing hearing. He faces 20 years to life for the October 2012 killing of William “Chris” Pettry, 42.
Hinson slashed Pettry’s throat in a bar at the Jacksonville Landing the night before the Bears faced the Jaguars. Pettry and another man reportedly were talking to Hinson’s wife before the incident occurred.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Moody is skeptical of the PTSD claim.
“He told officers he had multiple combat experiences and killed people like he killed Mr. Pettry,” Moody said of Hinson’s interview on the night of the slaying. “But there’s no record of him ever being in combat.”
And for good reason. Hinson served in the Navy as a cook.