Connellsville teen pleads guilty in violent home invasion
A Connellsville teen pleaded guilty in Fayette County Court on Wednesday to his role in a 2014 home invasion in which an elderly Connellsville man and his daughter were robbed and assaulted.
Terry Nicholson III, 19, represented by attorney Daniel Taylor, pleaded guilty to burglary, robbery, theft, simple assault, reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit each and trespass.
Assistant District Attorney Phyllis Jin said in exchange for the guilty pleas and his truthful testimony and cooperation against a co-defendant, the prosecution is recommending a sentence of 4 ½ to 9 years in prison.
Jin told Senior Judge Gerald R. Solomon that the commonwealth would decline to prosecute counts of aggravated assault and conspiracy, as well as misdemeanor simple assault, reckless endangerment, conspiracy and weapon possession charges.
Nicholson, along with 18-year-old Duston Wiggins and another unidentified juvenile, were arrested in February 2014, following a police foot pursuit from the residence of 81-year-old Caesar Gasperi and his daughter Lisa.
According to the criminal complaint Wiggins and Nicholson, then ages 17 and 16, along with an unidentified male who was then 14 years old, rang the doorbell at the rear entrance of a home at 606 E. Francis Ave. around 11 p.m.
When Caesar Gasperi answered the door, he was struck in the head and face, police said. The teens pushed their way in and pointed a gun at Lisa Gasperi, demanding money, police said.
Wiggins and Nicholson were led to a bedroom where Lisa Gasperi turned over the safe, and according to Jin, the teens made off with the safe, $600, and Lisa Gasperi’s cellphone, as well as some of her father’s personal effects.
Nicholson will go before Solomon for sentencing on Dec. 22 at 9:15 a.m.