Chelmsford Man, Accused Of Soliciting Hit Man To Injure Wife, Will Be Held Without Bail
WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced today that a Chelmsford man will be held without bail in connection with a series of alleged actions that authorities say concluded with him trying to hire someone to injure his wife.
Following a 58A hearing, Middlesex Superior Court Judge Diane Kottmyer ordered Andrew Gordon, 51, detained until trial.
Gordon was arraigned on November 25 on charges of intimidation of a witness, soliciting a felony (two counts), attempted assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in violation of a restraining order, violating a restraining order (three counts), stalking in violation of a restraining order, criminal harassment, attempted malicious destruction of property under $250, wanton destruction of property under $250 (14 counts) and attempted wanton destruction of property under $250 (five counts).
“The defendant is accused of alarming behavior, of offering to give someone money to beat up his wife, of spying on her from the woods, of vandalizing cars by putting glue in the locks and deflating tires; all very frightening actions,” said District Attorney Ryan. “We feel that keeping Andrew Gordon in custody until his trial will bring some peace of mind to people concerned about their safety.”
Authorities allege that the defendant was responsible for several acts of vandalism during July and August of this year to his wife’s car and to vehicles owned by her neighbors after he learned that she intended to seek a divorce. It is alleged the defendant deflated vehicle tires, placed nails under several vehicle tires, and caused other damage to his wife’s car and to nearby vehicles.
Authorities allege that the defendant watched his wife’s apartment complex from nearby woods with a ski mask and binoculars.
Chelmsford Police arrested Gordon on September 19 after authorities alleged that Gordon attempted to pay $20,000 for an attack on his wife. The defendant met with an undercover Massachusetts State Police trooper posing as a hit man. Gordon’s request initially called for her murder, authorities said, but in subsequent discussions the defendant is alleged to have asked the man to beat her so she could not attend a court hearing.
These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The defendant was previously charged in Lowell District Court on September 22 for intimidation of a witness, soliciting a felony, assault and battery and violating a restraining order. At that time, Gordon was ordered held without bail by Judge Neil Hourihan and has remained in custody since that date.
The case was investigated by Chelmsford Police, Tyngsboro Police, and Massachusetts State Police.
The prosecutor assigned to handle this case is Assistant District Attorney Graham Van Epps of the Special Investigations Unit. The Victim Witness Advocate is Kathleen Keefe.