POLK COUNTY, Florida - The man held by the Polk County Sheriff's Office for allegedly killing a Catholic priest in Mississippi went before a judge Wednesday in his first appearance. Jeremy Manieri was read his charges, which include a warrant for grand theft out of Escambia County and a homicide charge from Mississippi.
Authorities say Manieri shot and killed Father Edward Everitt at the Dominican Retreat House in Waveland, Mississippi on Sunday. Waveland police chief James Varnell says someone from the priest's parish in Hammond, Louisiana - about 50 miles away - called because they couldn't get a hold of Father Everitt. He says a secretary from a local church found Father Everitt's body.
According to authorities, Manieri had known the 70-year-old priest about two weeks and worked at the beach house as a handyman. Polk county sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Tuesday that the two went to lunch after morning mass and spent the day together before getting into some type of argument.
Sheriff Judd says Manieri used the priest's own gun and shot him twice, then stole Father Everitt's car, wallet and phone before picking up his ex-wife, two children, and heading to Disney World. The OnStar security system in the car led authorities to Manieri, who was found near the Polk County line in Clermont.
The Waveland police chief says he is waiting for Manieri to be extradited so they can continue their investigation. That should take a few days. Manieri could also face additional charges.