Woonsocket man held without bail

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Woonsocket man facing a murder charge stemming from the death of his girlfriend has been held without bail.

Emmanuel Algaria was in court Monday.

Authorities say the 21-year-old Algaria severely beat Catherine Salvi in their apartment Dec. 13.

The 24-year-old Salvi spent about three weeks in a coma before dying at the hospital on Jan. 5.

Algaria, who has been in jail since the alleged attack, had been charged with domestic assault but the charge was upgraded Monday to murder.

No plea was entered.

His lawyer did not comment.

The couple had a 2-year-old son.