86-year-old Taunton man charged with murder, medically cleared, held without bail

Charges against the 86-year-old Taunton man accused of shooting his wife to death have officially been upgraded to Murder, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office, Homicide Unit prosecutors and Taunton Police are investigating a homicide, which occurred Sunday night in Taunton.

On Sunday evening at approximately 8:55 p.m., Taunton Police were dispatched to 881 Bay Street for a report of a shooting outside that address. Upon arrival, first responders located a female victim, later identified as 71-year-old Dianne Silveira, in the driveway.

Silveira was rushed to Morton Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at 9:23 p.m.

After the shooting, the alleged suspect, 86-year-old Edmund Silveira, fled back inside the residence the couple had shared. As a result, a local regional SWAT Team was contacted to establish a secure perimeter while awaiting the arrival of crisis negotiators. Eventually, entry was made into the home via a tactical robot, at which point it was determined that the suspect was unconscious.

The suspect was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital for several wounds to his wrist and neck, which appeared to be self-inflicted knife wounds.

The defendant was initially charged with assault and battery by means of a firearm while the investigation continued. Late Tuesday afternoon. State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office filed an application for criminal complaint in Taunton District Court for the charge of murder. That complaint has now been issued and the defendant has officially been charged with murder.

Edmund Silveira was medically cleared for release and was arraigned as a fugitive from justice in Providence RI. The Rhode Island judge presiding over the arraignment held him without bail, but would not allow him to waive extradition due to his attorney’s concern about the defendant’s competency.

The defendant will be held in Rhode Island until at least the conclusion of his next court date, which is scheduled for September 9th.

Once legally cleared to do so, the district attorney’s office will transport Silveira back to Taunton for booking and arraignment on the murder charge.