Murder Suspects Plead Not Guilty in Motel 6 Case

Two charged with the murder of a Worcester man were arraigned in Worcester Superior Court on Tuesday, and pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to Tim Connolly, communications director for the Worcester District Attorney.

James Howze, 20, and Lara Cori, 22, both of 37 Harvard St., Providence, were charged with the murder of Joseph Webster, a Worcester man whose last known whereabouts was at Motel 6 in Northborough with Howze and Cori.

which subsequently led to a search during which they located a "substantial amount of blood" in the room.

Following a tip, Cranston, RI, police later discovered Webster's body in a storage container.

Howze and Cori had fled to Colonie, NY, and Howze was seen with the victim's car, according to testimony given at Westborough District Court in April by prosectuor Lisa Casella. Both were arrested in Colonie.

According to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, no court documents involving the motive for the crime have been released yet.

Both suspects were held without bail and their cases were continued to Aug. 28, said Connolly.