R.I. twins accused of killing father who was found dead with garden shears in his neck
03/31/2023 3:02 pm PDT
WOONSOCKET, R.I. (TCD) -- A 38-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder this week in connection with the death of her 70-year-old father, who was killed at their home in January.
Court records show Danielle Pamula was arrested Friday, March 31, for domestic violence murder and ordered to be held without bail. Her twin sister, Jennifer, was taken into custody Jan. 30 on the same charge.
According to WPRI-TV, on Jan. 30, Jennifer allegedly got into an argument with her father, Joseph Pamula, about "selling the house and getting rid of 12 cats." Danielle reportedly said she was sleeping at the time of the fight, and when she woke up, she found her father dead with garden shears sticking out of his neck and her sister unconscious next to him with some pills nearby.
Danielle called for help, and Woonsocket Police arrived at their home on Cato Street, where they found blood-soaked Jennifer on the ground in the living room. She allegedly told police, "I had to do it."
She was then arrested on suspicion of murder.
Special Assistant Attorney General Jessica Villella reportedly said in court Danielle and Jennifer had "matching injuries" on their hands even though Danielle was allegedly upstairs when their father was killed, WJAR-TV reports.
Villella said, "They both had injuries in this incident. She admitted to police they had both taken part in the killing of her father."
According to WPRI, police seized several items of evidence, including a gargoyle head, knives, a saw, and clothing belonging to Danielle and Jennifer.
Woonsocket Police had reportedly been to the residence on Cato Street in the past, but Chief Thomas Oates told WPRI the previous calls were all "minor incidents between them."
He said, "But none of those issues rose to the level where anyone was assaulted or was violent."
Danielle is due back in court April 7.
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