Brothers face judge in murder, arson

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - Two brothers charged in connection with a homicide and arson in Hopkinton faced the judge Friday morning.

Jared and Matthew Tefft were both ordered held without bail following their arraignment at Fourth Division District Court.

Jared Tefft is accused of setting his home on fire Wednesday after killing Peter Newman, 44.

The medical examiner has ruled that Newman died from smoke and soot inhalation, thermal injuries, and blunt force impact to the head. Officials said that indicates Newman was alive at the time the fire broke out.

Police believe Newman was staying at Jared Tefft's home when the two men got into some sort of physical altercation that escalated. The two men apparently met during a previous prison stay.

Matt Tefft's fiance is defending him.

"At about 11:00p.m. Jared came to our house. He's freaking out. Matt answered the door and [Jared] said I think I may have killed somebody. He's like I don't know. I don't know what happened. I know that Pete had attacked him. He had said at our house that Pete had attacked him with a knife, which he did because Jared had a wound on his hand. And Jared just snapped. He flipped out. He is very agressive, violent behavior and especially when he drinks vodka," she told Eyewitness News Reporter Sean Daly outside court.

Tefft is charged with murder, first-degree arson and conspiracy.

His brother, Matthew Tefft, is charged with aiding and abetting first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson.

Rhode Island State Police responded to the Woody Hill Road home around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, investigating possible violence. Once on scene, crews noticed flames and called the fire department.

Police later located Newman's body inside the home.