Couple Sentenced

A couple convicted of killing a beloved South Jersey nun learned their punishment Friday.

Margaret Hynes, known to her friends as Sister Peg, was killed after Edward and Janice Chinchillo crashed into her car as they were smoking crack.

On Friday, people who were close to Sister Peg faced the two responsible for her death to let them know what her loss meant to them.

"I miss her, not having her in my life. I miss her laugh and her guidance," said Kathlyn Hynes Piffer, the nun's sister.

"(I miss) her closing every phone call by saying,' God bless'," said Jodi Hynes, another sister.

"I crave her good council and her caring and her warmth and affection and I know I will never have it again," said Muriel Prickkitt, Sister Peg's friend.

One by one, family and friends of Sister Peg expressed their loss.

Edward Chinchillo showed little emotion as Sister Peg's friends and family testified.

However, Janice Chinchillo expressed her remorse in court.

"I would like to apologize to the family and the friends for the tragic loss of Sister Peg Hynes," Janice Chinchillo said.

Sister Peg was well known in the Camden community for helping the poor and homeless. On Dec. 20, 2002, the car she was riding in was struck head-on by the car Edward Chinchillo was driving.

Authorities said that the Chinchillos were smoking crack cocaine when Edward asked his wife for more. She loaded the pipe with crack and passed it back to him. He began steering the wheel with his knees as he lit the pipe and that is when their car jumped the median. The 69-year-old nun was killed instantly.

The Chinchillos were each charged within aggravated manslaughter. As part of a plea agreement, Edward will spend 20 years in prison. Janice was sentenced to 10 years.

Those who knew and loved Sister Peg said that even though they waited a long time for this day, their blessings and prayers are with the Chinchillos.

"We forgive them. I forgive them," Hynes Piffer said.

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