Jury Deliberates Fate of Man in Fatal Lower Merion Home Invasion

UPDATE: A jury is currently deliberating the fate of Jeremy Fuentes, 27, who faces serious charges in a tragic home invasion that left a mother paralyzed and her son dead. The jury of seven men and five women began their discussions late Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery County Court following closing statements presented by the prosecution and defense.

This urgent case stems from a violent incident that occurred at approximately 2:20 a.m. on December 8, 2024, in a residence on Meredith Road in Lower Merion Township. During the home invasion, Bernadette Gaudio, 61, was shot in the neck, leaving her paralyzed, while her son, Andrew Gaudio, 25, was fatally shot as he attempted to protect her. Prosecutors argue that Fuentes played a critical role in planning the robbery, which targeted the wrong house in an alleged gun trafficking scheme.

First Assistant District Attorney Edward F. McCann Jr. emphasized Fuentes’ culpability, stating, “He does not get to wash the blood off his hands when he put this in motion. He needs to be held accountable for it.” The prosecution contends that without Fuentes’ involvement, the tragic events of that night would not have occurred.

Fuentes is charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to commit burglary. Under Pennsylvania law, second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted. Although Fuentes did not directly participate in the home invasion, he is facing homicide charges under accomplice liability theories.

In contrast, defense attorney Matthew Quigg argued that Fuentes lacked shared criminal intent with his co-defendants, Charles Edward Fulforth and Kelvin Roberts Jr.. Quigg claimed that Fulforth masterminded the burglary plan and manipulated Fuentes for information. He urged the jury to consider the gaps in the prosecution’s evidence, insisting that there was no clear agreement between Fuentes and the others.

Earlier this year, Fulforth and Roberts were convicted of first-degree murder for their roles in the home invasion and are awaiting sentencing, facing mandatory life terms. The three men were coworkers at Junkluggers, a junk removal company, and during a site visit to a nearby Bucks County residence, Fuentes allegedly gathered information about firearms that would later be crucial in the home invasion.

In a shocking turn of events, it was revealed that Fuentes had informed Fulforth about the firearms he observed during a junk estimate, which led to a mistaken targeting of the Gaudio home. Prosecutors presented cellphone records showing Fuentes contacted Fulforth just minutes after the Bucks County visit, raising questions about his involvement in the planned crime.

During the attack, multiple shots were fired from at least three different weapons. Investigators recovered a .25-caliber handgun left at the scene and a 9mm 3D-printed ghost gun linked to Fulforth. DNA evidence tied both Fulforth and Roberts to the firearms used in the invasion, while Fuentes’ DNA was found on the .25-caliber weapon he allegedly provided to Fulforth days before the attack.

As the jury continues to deliberate into the evening, all eyes are on the potential implications of their verdict. The outcome of this case is not only crucial for Fuentes but also underscores the broader issues of gun violence and criminal accountability in our communities.

The public awaits the jury’s decision, with the case serving as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of crime on families and communities. What comes next in this urgent case will likely resonate throughout the region, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability in the face of violence.