Charleston Man Found Guilty for Medford Murder

– Allison Goldsberry

A 39-year-old Charleston man has been found guilty for murder, home invasion, and numerous additional charges for a 2011 murder in Medford, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Gerald Sullivan was found guilty Wednesday by a Middlesex Superior Court jury in Woburn on charges of first degree felony murder committed during a home invasion, home invasion (two 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.

“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.”

Sullivan will be sentenced on Thursday morning, according to information released by the DA.

Medford resident Johnny Hatch, 37, was killed in an armed home invasion in February 2011. Authorities said DNA evidence linked Sullivan to the crime.