Murder Suspect Arraigned In District Court

A worker who installed insulation at Joyce Howland's home in Fairhaven has been charged with her murder.

36 year old Joshua Silva of Oak Street, New Bedford was arraigned Wednesday in District Court on charges of murder and armed robbery. Assistant District Attorney Pat Driscoll told the court, Howland's death was particularly brutal.

Silva was ordered held without bail, and the case was continued to December 2nd.

Prosecutors said Silva was picked up on October 15th, because of outstanding warrents in Florida. Investigators then spent the next two weeks building the case against him.