Tensions Linger Despite Capture of Jersey Murder Suspects

While religious fanaticism apparently wasn't the motive behind the killing of a Coptic Christian family of four in New Jersey, tensions still lingered.

By Kenneth Chan,

Coptic Christians and Muslims alike expressed relief yesterday following the arrest of two former convicts charged with binding, gagging and cutting the throats of four members of a Coptic Christian family last January in what prosecutors called a robbery that went awry in their Jersey City home. But while religious fanaticism apparently wasn't the motive behind the killing in New Jersey, tensions still lingered.

Ferial Garas, center, mother of Amal Garas, is seen in Jersey City Superior Court, Friday, March 4, 2005, in Jersery City, N.J., during an arraignment hearing for Edward McDonald, 25, and Hamilton Sanchez, 30. Both men pleaded not guilty to four counts of
Ferial Garas, center, mother of Amal Garas, is seen in Jersey City Superior Court, Friday, March 4, 2005, in Jersery City, N.J., during an arraignment hearing for Edward McDonald, 25, and Hamilton Sanchez, 30. Both men pleaded not guilty to four counts of

"Thank God, it's not a religious matter," former deputy mayor of Jersey City Fred Ayad told the New York Times.

"If they had been Egyptian or Muslim, we would have had

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