Report: Man accused of killing La. priest found dead in jail in apparent suicide

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Jeremy Wayne Manieri

(Credit: KLEWTV)

(CBS/AP) JACKSON, Miss. - The man accused of killing a Roman Catholic priest and taking his car on a vacation to Walt Disney World has been found dead in his prison cell Thursday in an apparent suicide, according to corrections officials and his attorney.

Jeremy Wayne Manieri, 33, a handyman at a Mississippi beach house used as a retreat by a group of priests, was charged with shooting Reverend Ed Everitt, 70, at the beach house in July 2011.

Manieri claimed that he shot Everitt after he passed out from alcohol and marijuana use and awoke to find the priest fondling him. However, investigators believe robbery was the motive, because Florida authorities said Manieri had the priest's car, gun and wallet when he was arrested.

Manieri's former wife and two children were with him when he was arrested at a hotel near Winter Haven, Fla., according to authorities. They had purchased tickets to Walt Disney World but never made it to the resort.

Authorities say Manieri gave a detailed confession to investigators in Florida, but stopped cooperating by the time he returned to Mississippi. He was charged with murder and grand larceny.

Everitt has been pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Hammond, La., and Our Lady of Pompeii Church in nearby Tickfaw.

More on Crimesider
July 21, 2011 - Suspect in priest's beach house murder returns to Miss.
July 14, 2011 - Man arrested in murder of La. priest was on his way to visit Disney, cops say

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by irreverentasever January 27, 2012 9:54 AM EST: I'd say he really was a handyman.; Reply to this comment


by tmn January 26, 2012 6:48 PM EST: Aww...so he was taking his ex-wife and the kids to Disneyland in a stolen vehicle after murdering a priest. What a nice family guy!; Reply to this comment

by oldabner January 26, 2012 6:29 PM EST

Always 2 sides to a story, but now, no one will ever know. I tend to believe that the priest was a molester because why would he allow Manieri to abuse alcohol and smoke weed at the beach house? Because he wanted him wasted?

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by askagain January 26, 2012 7:42 PM EST: There are many thousands of good, harworking, and dedicated priests around the world. Because of some molestation charges against a few priests, you choose to believe this guy's story. The story of a guy who murders a priest, steals his possessions, and takes his car to Disney World. There is a bridge for sale in Brooklyn. Interested?


by longtree-2009 January 26, 2012 5:46 PM EST: is this what they mean when some say, karma?; Reply to this comment

by hillbillyvol January 26, 2012 5:26 PM EST

I suppose they both got what was coming to them. The Catholic church needs to join the twenty-first century but the Pope is always guided by tradition rather than truth.

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by redlight42 January 26, 2012 10:56 PM EST: Yes, Father Ed is in heaven with his maker! Jeremy, well.......

by PourpaixPourpaix January 26, 2012 3:58 PM EST

A priest was carrying a gun? The American sickness has reached new lows. Wonder what the Catholic protocol is for a priest to whip out his pistol and "do God's work"? Surely not for some minor sin, like looking at a young lady in a short dress? Catholic protocol must limit gun use to obvious and agregious mortal sins. Or maybe it's just left to God, when He whispers in the priest's ear, "I wanna see that clown in the red shirt over there to your left, and I wanna see him right now!"

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by askagain January 26, 2012 5:27 PM EST: There have been several priests killed in my state over the years. Usually, they are alone in their parrish homes when thiefs come in off the street looking for money and valuables. There is no reason priests can't legally carry guns if they have permits. Priests are just as susceptible to crime as the rest of us.


by tmn January 26, 2012 2:26 PM EST: Jeremy Wayne Manieri had an express ticket to Hell. He wanted to use it.; Reply to this comment