Second Person Sentenced in Northborough Motel Murder

NORTHBOROUGH, MA — A second person was sentenced in the 2012 stabbing death of an autistic, diabetic teen at a Northborough motel.

James Howze, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and also one count of larceny of a motor vehicle, and was sentenced to 30 years for the murder of 19-year-old Joseph Webster, reports MassLive Worcester. He was sentenced 19 to 20 years for manslaughter, and 14 to 15 years for larceny.

Lara Corey was sentenced last year to 18 to 20 years for her role.

Corey and Howze, from Providence, RI, befriended Webster, and the three were seen going to the Motel 6 in Northborough on March 12, 2012. Webster was beaten and stabbed, after which the two fled to Colonie, NY.

Webster, of Worcester, was reported missing by his family on March 14 of that year. The Worcester Telegram reported that Webster was borderline autistic and severely diabetic.

Northborough police visited the Motel 6 for a well-being check on March 16, which subsequently led to a search during which they located a "substantial amount of blood" in the room, according to prosecutor Lisa Casella.

The body was eventually discovered in a storage container by a Providence K-9 unit after Cranston, RI, police followed a tip.

Five of Webster's relatives read statements at the sentencing hearing on Monday, reports the Worcester Telegram and Gazette,including brother Anthony who said he had been "trying to keep my pain and anger to myself."

See also:

• Body Identified: Suspects Who Fled to RI Face Murder Charges
• Westborough Woman Charged in Missing Man Case
• Murder Suspects Plead Not Guilty in Motel 6 Case
• When Will the Motel 6 Murder Case Go to Trial?
• Two Indicted in Murder of Man Last Seen at Motel 6
• UPDATE: People Staying at Motel 6 Arrested in Disappearance of Autistic Teen
• Police Discover Body of Man Last Seen at Motel 6 in Northborough

Patch File Photo: Charlene Arsenault