Trial Starts for Two Men Charged in Fatal Lower Merion Burglary That Left One Man Dead and His Mother Injured

In a recent trial commencing in Montgomery County, two men face serious allegations following a tragic home invasion in Lower Merion that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Andrew Gaudio. Prosecutors have charged Charles Fulforth, 41, and Kelvin Roberts, 42, with murder, conspiracy, and related offenses, claiming that their actions were driven by greed for firearms to supply an illegal gun trafficking operation.

According to Deputy District Attorney Brianna Ringwood, the pair aimed to steal weapons to bolster their illicit business. However, they mistakenly targeted the Gaudio residence, where Andrew was ultimately fatally wounded while attempting to protect his mother, Bernadette, from the armed assailants. Gaudio suffered five gunshot wounds, including a lethal shot to the head, while his mother was injured as well, leaving her paralyzed due to a gunshot to the neck.

Ringwood emphasized the significant evidence linking the defendants to the crime, including ballistics that associated a 3D-printed firearm found in Fulforth’s apartment with the murder weapon. Cell phone records further suggest premeditation, revealing that the two communicated via text to plan the robbery. The timing of their movements matched the timeline of the incident, fortifying the prosecution’s case.

Roberts’ defense attorney, Frank Genovese, acknowledged some involvement in the burglary but argued that there was no intent to kill. He urged jurors to consider the evidence carefully, weighing its relevance to both defendants. Conversely, Fulforth’s attorney, Brooks Thompson, questioned the prosecution’s narrative, proposing that the presence of multiple shell casings might indicate the involvement of a third party who could have delivered the fatal shot.

Before the burglary, both men were employed by Junkluggers, a junk-hauling company, where they received information about an elderly couple in Bucks County with an extensive gun collection. This led to a planned heist, with Fulforth and Roberts arming themselves and preparing for the operation. They wore a ballistic vest and carried zip ties but misinterpreted the address provided to them, resulting in the tragic incident at the Gaudios’ home.

During the invasion, the burglars breached the home through the basement, eventually confronting Andrew on the second floor. After shooting him, they also injured his mother and fled with jewelry and a vehicle. Despite her injuries, Bernadette managed to contact authorities while the crime was still underway.

The police investigation ultimately unveiled a broader gun trafficking network associated with the defendants, including the production of untraceable “ghost guns” and other weapon modifications using 3D printing technology. The trial, presided over by Judge Risa Vetri Ferman, is slated to continue through the week.

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