Philip Charles Butler has been charged with killing his brother in a home in Conception Bay South Monday evening.
Butler, 36, was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder in the death of George Allan Butler as well as breach of probation.
Wearing pyjama pants, Butler walked into the prisoner's box and kept his head mostly down as he appeared before a judge at provincial court shortly before noon.
He is slated to return to court on June 6.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was called to Philip Butler's home on Comerford's Road shortly after 8 p.m. Monday and cordoned off the home.
Police officers discovered George Allan Butler, 43, dead inside the home.
CBC News has confirmed that the men were brothers, who are from Kelligrews. Both men are fathers.
The Rovers ground search and rescue organization was called in to assist in the investigation.
"Investigators are still at the scene of this homicide collecting evidence as well as canvasing neighbouring homes for witnesses," an RNC spokesperson said in an email.
Neighbours told CBC News that the home was frequently noisy and described the residence as "volatile."
Butler has a seven-page criminal record for convictions including uttering threats, assault, theft and break and enter.
Court documents show he was last convicted in October 2017 of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
He was placed on probation for 13 months and given a five-year firearms ban.
Philip Butler has appeared in court and is charged with 2nd degree murder. He will be back in court on June 6th. <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBCNL</a> <a href="https://t.co/GXOJOLwjNY">pic.twitter.com/GXOJOLwjNY</a>
—@Fred_Hutton