86-Year-Old Taunton Man Accused of Murdering His Wife

Officials arraigned an 86-year-old Taunton man as a fugitive from justice in a Providence, Rhode Island court after facing charges of murdering his wife.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, authorities detained Edmund Silveira in Rhode Island without bail. During the arraignment, the court denied Edmund’s request to forgo his extradition to Massachusetts, citing his attorney’s concerns about the defendant’s competence.

The probing into the gunshot murder of a 14-year-old boy is ongoing. (Photo: Houston Chronicle)

Prosecutors presented a frightening image in Fall River Superior Court Monday as Edmund made his first court appearance after being charged with the murder of his 71-year-old wife.

Edmund’s next court hearing is set for September 9. He will stay in Rhode Island until then. Silveira will be charged with murder when he returns to Massachusetts.

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Taunton Man Charged With Murder in the Death of His 71-Year-Old Wife

Taunton Gazette said Edmund Silveira, 86, shot his wife, Dianne Silveira, twice in the back in a jealous fury after she escaped to the couple’s Bay Street home’s driveway on August 29. He then shot her twice in the head to kill her out.

Boston.com said authorities received a gunshot report outside 881 Bay St. in Taunton about 8:55 p.m. Responders found Dianne, 71, on the driveway. According to the district attorney’s office, authorities transported her to Morton Hospital. Officials declared her dead at 9:23 p.m.

After the event, Edmund Silveira allegedly returned to his house with his wife, and officials sent a SWAT team to set up a perimeter until crisis negotiators arrived. 

Officials claimed they finally deployed a tactical robot inside the house, where it discovered Silveira unconscious. Authorities said responders brought him to Rhode Island Hospital. He had “several cuts to his wrist and neck.” The injuries seemed to be self-inflicted knife wounds.

“[Dianne] died almost instantly,” Assistant District Attorney Michael Scott told the court, which included family of the victim.

Scott added a few facts from a State Police affidavit that the Gazette had previously made public. Edmund claimed he shot himself with a.22 caliber handgun.

While the inquiry was ongoing, Edmund faced assault and battery with firearm charges.

According to Taunton Gazette, Edmund did not intend to take Dianne’s life without taking his own.

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