Sentencing postponed for Landing killer

Attorneys ask for time to review psychological report

Matthew Hinson is arraigned in court.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The sentencing has been postponed for a 28-year-old man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a Chicago Bears fan at the Jacksonville Landing last year.

Matthew Hinson was scheduled for a two-day sentencing hearing July 18-19 for killing 42-year-old William Pettry at Fionn MacCool's Irish Restaurant and Pub in October. Pettry was in town for a game between the Bears and Jaguars the next day.

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The defense has asked for a continuance because it's preparing to give the state attorney's office a psychological report about Hinson's "state of mind" during the night he killed Pettry. The state attorney's office has asked for time to read the defense report and have its own psychological exam done on Hinson. There will be a hearing for that July 18.

Hinson faces 20 years to life in prison. Prosecutors will ask for life.

William Christopher Pettry

Because of the perseverance of eyewitnesses and the fact several police were conducting an operation nearby, officers caught up with Hinson before he could get his pickup out of the parking garage next to the Landing after killing Pettry.

Investigators said Hinson apparently became jealous and enraged when he saw his wife talking with Pettry at the restaurant. They said he "calmly and cold-bloodedly" cut Pettry's throat, then walked out and drove away.

Pettry was a father of three young children.