Charlestown Man Guilty for Medford Murder

WOBURN- A Charlestown man has been found guilty for murder, home invasion and numerous additional charges, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today.

Gerald Sullivan, 39, was found guilty by a Middlesex Superior Court jury in Woburn on charges of first degree felony murder committed during a home invasion, home invasion (2 counts), armed assault to murder, armed assault to rob, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, possession of a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without a license.

Middlesex Superior Court Judge S. Jane Haggerty has scheduled sentencing for tomorrow at 9:00am.

“This defendant committed a brutal home invasion during which he murdered Johnny Hatch and severely injured Hatch’s father,” District Attorney Ryan said.  “I commend the outstanding work of the Medford Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab who were able to identify this defendant through DNA found on evidence at the scene.”

On February 18, 2011 at approximately 10:30pm, Medford Police received a 911 call for a robbery in progress from a woman who resided at 55B Jerome Street.  Upon arrival, officers found the female 911 caller, and discovered two males evidencing obvious injuries, in the residence. 

The two male victims were transported to the hospital where one, Johnny Hatch, 37, died as a result of his injuries.  The other victim who was shot in the head survived, although he still has bullet fragments in his head.

Medford Police and Massachusetts State Police began an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the incident.  Through their investigation they learned that the male victims and the female caller were inside their home when there was a knock on the door.  One of the victims opened the door and two masked men pushed through the doorway and immediately demanded money and jewelry.  A struggle ensued and the armed defendant shot both victims. 

Authorities processed the scene for evidence and located several items that were subsequently tested for DNA.  One consistent profile was extracted from three items and that profile was run through the national CODIS system, which is funded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The profile was found to be a match to the DNA profile of the defendant that was stored in the database. 

The defendant was indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury on June 30, 2011 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The defendant was arrested in New York, he waived rendition and was brought back to Massachusetts.

The prosecutors assigned to the case are Assistant District Attorney Beth Dunigan and Assistant District Attorney Jessica Langsam. The Victim Witness Advocate is Rebecca Auld. The Paralegals are Erika Willey and Gregory LaJoie.