A Newfield man was convicted in Tioga County Court for the kidnapping and murder of an Ithaca man last year.
Joseph Howell was found guilty of murder in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree and three counts of intimidating a witness in connection with the death of Thomas Rath, who was living in a homeless encampment in Ithaca at the time of his disappearance in May of 2023.
Rath’s body was found in a shallow grave in Candor in August of last year. Police arrested 13 people in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Rath.
Howell is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 13.
