Joyce Howland 2013 Solved
On October 11 2013 Joyce Howland (69) was murdered in her home at 12 Hamlet Street. A friend who hadn't heard from her discovered her body on October 14 2013
Two contractors, Joshua Silva (36) and Paulo Dias came to the immediate attention of investigators. The men had worked on Joyce's home, installing insulation in her attic on October 11 2013. The men worked for Fairhaven Lumber and had been hired by a contractor Joyce regularly used for home projects.
After completing the work for the day, Silva claimed he left tools behind and needed to return to Joyce's to retrieve them. Silva's intention was to commit robbery at Joyce's home to help support his drug addiction.
Silva returned, Joyce allowed entry and he attacked her, slicing her throat. He then continued with his robbery plan and ransacked the house. He located jewelry, and later pawned it in New Bedford for $380, admitting to investigators he used it to purchase heroin. Silva also admitted to investigators he often scoured homes and businesses where he had performed work to see what he could steal, then sell, to support his drug habit.
Dias, who was cleared from any involvement in the homicide, and testified against Silva. DNA evidence was introduced, which confirmed Joyce's blood and Silva's blood were on a pair of pants worn by Silva.
On September 23 2015 after deliberating six (6) hours, the jury found Silva guilty of 1st degree murder with extreme atrocity, and guilty of robbery of the jewelry. He was sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole for the murder and was sentenced to 15 to 20 years, to be served concurrently, for the robbery.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit 2014
The estate of Joyce Howland has filed a wrongful death suit against Fairhaven Lumber, employer of the suspected killer. The suit, filed in Bristol County Superior Court, claims that the hiring of Joshua Silva and his assignment to work in Howland’s home was the result of the company’s “reckless and grossly negligent practice of using unsuitable employees hired with no screening or record check."
The complaint alleges that neither Silva, who had been hired eight days previously, nor his co-worker, a company employee for several years, were on the defendant’s formal payroll, both were paid ‘under the table’ without legally required payroll deductions. Both were paid hourly rates well below the industry standard.
While the co-worker is not named in the complaint, it alleges that he knew of Silva’s drug habit and violent criminal history. Silva had told his co-worker of his intent to rob Howland. The co-worker did nothing in response to this information from Silva.
Silva was arrested twice by the Palm Bay, Florida Police Department in 2009 on charges of breaking into an unoccupied home, stealing jewelry and selling the jewelry to a pawnbroker. He pleaded guilty in January 2010.
On October 11 2013 Joyce Howland (69) was murdered in her home at 12 Hamlet Street. A friend who hadn't heard from her discovered her body on October 14 2013
Two contractors, Joshua Silva (36) and Paulo Dias came to the immediate attention of investigators. The men had worked on Joyce's home, installing insulation in her attic on October 11 2013. The men worked for Fairhaven Lumber and had been hired by a contractor Joyce regularly used for home projects.
After completing the work for the day, Silva claimed he left tools behind and needed to return to Joyce's to retrieve them. Silva's intention was to commit robbery at Joyce's home to help support his drug addiction.
Silva returned, Joyce allowed entry and he attacked her, slicing her throat. He then continued with his robbery plan and ransacked the house. He located jewelry, and later pawned it in New Bedford for $380, admitting to investigators he used it to purchase heroin. Silva also admitted to investigators he often scoured homes and businesses where he had performed work to see what he could steal, then sell, to support his drug habit.
Dias, who was cleared from any involvement in the homicide, and testified against Silva. DNA evidence was introduced, which confirmed Joyce's blood and Silva's blood were on a pair of pants worn by Silva.
On September 23 2015 after deliberating six (6) hours, the jury found Silva guilty of 1st degree murder with extreme atrocity, and guilty of robbery of the jewelry. He was sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole for the murder and was sentenced to 15 to 20 years, to be served concurrently, for the robbery.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit 2014
The estate of Joyce Howland has filed a wrongful death suit against Fairhaven Lumber, employer of the suspected killer. The suit, filed in Bristol County Superior Court, claims that the hiring of Joshua Silva and his assignment to work in Howland’s home was the result of the company’s “reckless and grossly negligent practice of using unsuitable employees hired with no screening or record check."
The complaint alleges that neither Silva, who had been hired eight days previously, nor his co-worker, a company employee for several years, were on the defendant’s formal payroll, both were paid ‘under the table’ without legally required payroll deductions. Both were paid hourly rates well below the industry standard.
While the co-worker is not named in the complaint, it alleges that he knew of Silva’s drug habit and violent criminal history. Silva had told his co-worker of his intent to rob Howland. The co-worker did nothing in response to this information from Silva.
Silva was arrested twice by the Palm Bay, Florida Police Department in 2009 on charges of breaking into an unoccupied home, stealing jewelry and selling the jewelry to a pawnbroker. He pleaded guilty in January 2010.
Einer V Anderson 1953 Solved
On April 18 1953 Einer Anderson (52) was stabbed to death inside his summer home at 37 Hedge Street. Anderson, from Bridgeport Conn, was spending a week at the house when his property caretaker, Carl Berg (65) became enraged over Anderson's dog and during the argument stabbed Anderson.
Anderson was stabbed four (4) times with a hunting knife. A witness, Ruth M Delano (35) was also questioned. Anderson was transported to Acushnet Hospital, which located on South Main Street, where he later died.
On April 18 1953 Einer Anderson (52) was stabbed to death inside his summer home at 37 Hedge Street. Anderson, from Bridgeport Conn, was spending a week at the house when his property caretaker, Carl Berg (65) became enraged over Anderson's dog and during the argument stabbed Anderson.
Anderson was stabbed four (4) times with a hunting knife. A witness, Ruth M Delano (35) was also questioned. Anderson was transported to Acushnet Hospital, which located on South Main Street, where he later died.