Fall River Man Charged With Murder In Death Of Taunton Woman

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office and Taunton Police announced late Friday the arrest of a Fall River man for the homicide of Vanessa Courtney of Taunton earlier this week.

DA spokesman Gregg Miliote says 22 year old James Souza  was arrested Friday evening at a home in Taunton..  He was charged with murder and armed robbery.

Twenty-three year old Vanessa Courtney was found dead in her Taunton apartment Monday.  Authorities say she was the victim of a stabbing or her throat was slashed..

The DA's office says Souza and Courtney were known to each other. Souza will be held in jail over the weekend and will be arraigned Monday in Taunton District Court.