A Tompkins County man faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of murder in Tioga County.
38-year-old Joseph Howell was also found guilty of kidnapping Thomas Rath as well as three counts of intimidating a witness. Rath was last seen in the homeless encampment known as “The Jungle” on May 20th, 2023. He was initially reported missing but police say their investigation led them to believe Rath was kidnapped. Rath’s body was located in a shallow grave in the Tioga County town of Candor three months later. Howell was one of 13 people arrested in the case.
In August, in a separate case, Howell was found guilty of breaking into a home in Chemung County while armed with a shotgun. He not only stole from the homeowner but kidnapped him as well. The Newfield man faces eight to 25 years in prison in that case when sentenced.
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