Guttilla .- I DATE: May 7, 2018 DOB: 01/19/1958 AGE. 60 8A CASE to: 18?8201 ADDRESS: . ASSIGNED John Lavoie Esq.- ERN: 1?10hal?165 pence Albans H1ghgate,-IVT 05459 I INVESTIGATWO OFFICER: Det. Sgt. Angela Baker VICTIM ADVOCATE: Kelly Woodward momamm; 18A2021-95 STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT UNIT . STATE OF VERMONT DIVISION v. . DOCKET NO. CARMEN - MORNIATION BY ATTORNEY By the autho?ty of the State WOfVennont the State Attorney for Franklin County, upon the oath of office charges: COUNT 1 OF 1 CHARGE 1 CODE ID: 367! OFFENSE CLASS: CHARGE MURDER-1 ST DEG. Carmen Guttilla, in the County of Franklin, at Highgate between November. 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017, . aided in the commission of a felony, to Wit: ?rst degree murder in violation Of 13 V.S.A. section 3 and 2301. Penalty; Imprisoned for life and for a presumptive minimum term of 35 years. Against the peace and dignity of the State. . DATED: May 7, 2018 Mae?s Ettorney (DeputYL/ Referral(s) if applicable: Diversion r3 Tamarack c: No Referral Reason: This information has been presented to me and I have found probable cause DATED: 5/ Sb?erior Court Judgw State of Vermont Vermont State Police Franklin County, 88 Bureau of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit Case '1 8A202195 AFFIDA OF PROBABLE CAUSE NOW COMES DETECTIVE SERGEANT ANGELA BAKER, affiant{s), being duly sworn and on oath, deposes and says she has probable cause to believe that Carmen Guttilla (DOB 0/19/58) has committed the following offense: Accessory in the Commission of a Felony (Homicide), a violation of Title 13, Vermont Statutes Annotated, Section 3. 1. l, Detective Sergeant Angela Baker, am now and have been for the past 9 years, a full time employee of the Vermont State Police, being presently assigned to the Major Crime Unit as a Detective Sergeant. . Edward Bennett Information 2. On April 12, 2018, Northwest State Correctional Facility contacted Captain Jeremy Hill to advise of an inmate who wanted to report information regarding a homicide Det. Sgt. John MacCallum was assigned to speak to the inmate identified as Edward Bennett (DOB 03/15/90). 3. Bot. Sgt. MacCallum met with Bennett at approximately 1800 hours on April 12,2018 in a caseworker of?ce at the jail Det. Sgt. MacCallum advised Bennett that everything discussed in the interview needed to be the truth under the pains and penalties of pteury, and Bennett responded ?absolutely. Bennett swore to his statement prior to providing Det. MacCallum with any information regarding the homicide. Bennett was initially apprehensive about having the interview recorded. Bennett eventually agreed to allow Det. Sgt. MacCallum to' record the conversation. The information provided by Bennett regarding the homicide was audio recorded and a copy of the recording is included in the case -file. 4. Edward Bennett has been incarcerated at Northwest State Correctional Facility since April 8, 2018. Bennett was arrested on an outstanding warrant for violation of probation by St: Albans Police Department. At the time of his arrest Bennett was a passenger in a vehicle identified as a red Chevy Spark bearing VT Registration FHN394 Detectives con?rmed this vehicle was registered to Michael and Carmen Guttilla- of 161 Charles Circle in Highgate. Bennett advised in his interview with Det. Sgt. MacCallum that he was in the vehicle with Erika Guttilla and her boyfriend Corey Cassani (DOB 04/22/90), at the time of his arrest. Bennett?s underlying charge for the violation of probation is a perjury conviction on November 12, 2015' In Franklin County Criminal Court. - 5. During the interview with Det. Sgt. MacCallum, Bennett advised he had been dating Erika Guttilla (DOB 05/05/87) and referred to her as his ?Home Girl.? He said prior to his arrest on April 8 2018 he was at Erika?s residence, located at 161 Charles Circle in Highgate when she showed him a gun. Bennett described the firearm as ?a little black gun either a 380 or a .38 special He said he was a convicted felon so he didn't want anything to do with the gun but he told her ?that shit is nice.? Bennett advised the gun was not a revolver and was smaller than a 9mm. Bennett advised Erika told him the gun' belonged to her mother, identified as Carmen Guttilla. She advised her mother used to own the Swanton Liquor Store and kept the gun at the store Bennett advised Carmen recently sold the liquor store but she still worked there. Detectives obtained records from the Secretary of State that showed Carmen did actually own the Swanton Liquor Store at the time. 8. Bennett advised after Erika showed him the gun, she asked him ifhe remembered a male by the name of Troy Ford. Bennett advised he knew who Erika was referring to but'stated he had never heard the male called by that name. He advised he knew the male by the names of "Don? or "Banger.? Erika 1 State of Vermont Vermont State Police Franklin County, 88 . Bureau of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit Case 18A202195 told Bennett that Ford was at her house the last time he was there and Bennett realized who she was: referring to and said, "oh, yeah. Where that nigger at?? Bennett advised Erika just laughed and then jokingly said, "He?s buried in my backyard." He advised Erika told him that Ford was a piece of shit and hurt her bad. He said she looked at him and stared deep into his eyes and said, ?i killed him.? Bennett advised he didn?t believe her and she said something to the effect of, "if i could do it again, I would If I could bring him back to life again and kill him again I would Bennett advised Erika told him that she killed Ford approximately 2 months prior to telling Bennett about it. Based on this information the homicide likely occurred In the JanuarylFebruary timeframe. 7. Bennett advised he told Erika he did not believe she kitled Ford. He advised Erika brought him out to the porch at the residence and showed him a black garbage bin with wheels. She told him that Ford was deceased in the garbage bin and he was face down with his feet sticking up. Bennett advised there was a black garbage bag could not tell there was a body In the bin. Bennett advised the bin was right next to a woodpile and was well hidden. Bennett advised Erika encouraged him to touch the item protruding from the garbage bin but Bennett refused to touch it in case it was actually a foot. Bennett clarified that he never actually saw Ford?s body in the garbage bin. l_-le told Det. Sgt. MacCallum, "there was a black garbage bag and if you are upside down in a garbage can, head in first, put a black garbage on my feet, you can tell those are feet." Bennett advised Erika' 3 mother and brother (Dakota Guttilla, DOB 11/08/97) were both at home when Erika showed him the body' In the garbage bin on the porch: 8. Bennett said he still didn?t believe Erika had killed Ford but stated, "She had gotten his attention." He advised they went back inside the house and he kept looking out a little window onto the porch at the garbage bin. He advised Erika said, ?You still don?t believe me?" She then brought him to her bedroom, described as being on the second floor of the residence and next to Dakota?s bedroom. Bennett said when they went into the bedroom, Erika picked up a towel on the floor and said ?This dude? brains are all over the ?oor.? Bennett advised Erika then pulled back something on the bed and there was a "big ass blood stain on the bed and chunks of brains hanging? off the side of the bed.? Bennett furtheradvised there was blood spatter all over the floor and all over the wall of the bedroom. Bennett said Erika looked at him and said, "Do you believe me now?" Bennett advised he shook his head and walked out of the room. He said he asked Erika ?why the fuck haven?t you cleaned that shit up?? He said Erika's response was, "cause I don?t care.? Bennett advised there was no way all of the blood was ever going to come up off the floor, the mattress, or the walls in Erika's bedroom. He? was adamant that Ford?s is everywhere??in the bedroom because Erika is "sloppy and stupid. He further advised that Erika now sleeps in the bedroom downstairs and not in her bedroom on the second floor because it' Is such a mess and she has not cleaned it up yet. Bennett advised later In the interview that he has never spent the night at Erika 3 house and he has only been' In the house for a maximum often minutes. 9. Bennett advised he asked Erika what she was going to do with Ford?s dead body. Erika said she was going to either bring him into the woods or wait until the ground was thawed so she could bury him on her own property. She advised she preferred to bury him on her property because no one would be able to dig there to look for him. Bennett advised they ended up leaving Erikas residence and going somewhere else for the night. He advised they eventually broke up and she started dating one of his buddies, Identif ed as Corey Cassani (DOB 04/22/90). - 10. Bennett, advised after he and Erika broke up, Cassani called him by phone one night and told him that they were going to "move that thing" because Erika had a weird feeling. 'He said one of Erika?s friends ?kept asking about the dude and 'she didn't know What'to tell the nigger." Bennett advised he asked Corey what he was talking about and Coreyhung up. Bennett advised he saw Erika and Corey 2 State of Vermont . Vermont State Police Franklin County, 88 Bureau of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit Case 18A202195 later that night and said they were covered in blood. Bennett said he asked them- what they were doing and they told him they were "moving it." Bennett advised Corey told him that Erika was "fucking crazy? and she was starting to feel weird about at the house and was freaking out. Corey told Bennett he was watching television at the house when he heard a ?thunk, thunk, thunk.? Corey said Erika was pulling the black garbage can through the house with a dead body in it. Corey advised they put the dead body in Erika?s parent's black \ian. A DMV record check confirmed Carmen and Michael Guttilia - have a 2012 Chevy van, bearing VT Registration 2811 12, registered to them. 11. Bennett advised Corey told him that he and Erika drove the black van down the road in the development where Erika lived in Highgate to get rid of the body. Corey told him that Ford's body was wrapped in a tarp, later identi?ed by Bennett as a brown and gray tarp. Bennett advised, ?They dragged the body out of the van, dude's head smashing on the concrete everywhere, dragging him through the . snow dropping blood eirerywhere." Bennett advised repeatedly know he's there. I know he's there? and said Ford?s body is laying in the middle of the woods with a hole in his head. He initially advised that Ford did not have anyshoes on, and then clarified that he didn?t think Ford had any shoes on because Ford was lying in bed sleeping when Erika walked in the bedroom, put the gun to his forehead, and 'pulled the trigger. Bennett advised Corey and Erika left Ford's body in a wooded area near the Guttilla residence on Charles Circle in Highgate._ - '12. Bennett advised Erika?s family owns the residence at 161 Charles Circle. He identified the family . members living in the house as her brother (Dakota Guttilla. [308 11/08/97), sister (Melissa Guttilla, DOB 02/17l90), mother (Carmen Guttilla, DOB 0111958) and father (name unknown by Bennett but later identi?ed as Michael Guttilla, DOB 11107158}. DMV records and police records ?show Erika Guttilla, Melissa Guttilla, Dakota Guttilla, Carmen Guttilla and Michael Guttilla all reside at 161 Charles Circle in Highgate. 'He advised all of the family members have addictions, specifically crack. Bennett advised all of the Guttilla family members were afraid of Ford-He said Erika?s mother made her kill Ford and told her that if Erika did not-do it, she would do it herself. Bennett advised Erika?s siblings and parents were all aware that Ford was killed in Erika?s bedroom at the house. He said Erika told him that she killed Ford because he hurt her family and picked on her brother. She told him that Ford used to "beat the fuck out of her and rape her.? Bennett described Erika as a ?heartless bitch? and said she was not scared to kill. He was adamant that she would kill again. Bennett further advised he didn?t go to the authorities after Erika told him that she killed Ford because he was worried about his kids. Bennett advised, ?This bitch has crazy fucking family and they know I?m the only one who knows about it.? 13. Bennett advised a couple days after Corey and Erika threw Ford's body into the woods, Erika's sister, identified as Melissa Guttilla (DOB asked him to go for a ride in the Guttilla?s black van. Bennett advised he jumped into the passenger seat and then looked back into the rear of the van and saw the. tarp. He told Melissathat was the same tarp used to dispose of Ford?s body after Erika killed him. Bennett advised Melissa said, ?Oh shit, I forgot, that stupid bitch, i will have to! get rid of that for her." Bennett further advised Erika sold Ford?s cell phone after she killed him but did not know who she sold it to. 14. Bennett advised he first met Troy Ford in jail. He initially identi?ed Ford as ?Don? or ?Banger? because he did not know his actual name. Bennett advised that: after Erika told him about the murder and he was picked up and brought to jail, he started asking around. He said a Correctional Of?cer at the jaii assisted him in determining that ?Banger's? real name was Troy Ford. He said he knew Ford had been living in the area with his girlfriend but stated Ford was not originally from this area. Bennett advised Ford was helping take care of his mother, identified as Barbara Barrett, while he was incarcerated. Bennett advised his mother referred to Ford as ?Don" but said she knew his real name and everything about him. 3 State of Vermont Vermont State Police . Franklin County, SS Bureau of Criminal investigation Major Crime Unit Case 18A202195 Det. Tpr. Michael Mattuchio contacted the Department of Corrections and teamed that Bennett and Ford were both in state custody for a week in August 2015 and a month between December 2015/January 2016. Det. Tpr. Mattuchio was advised Ford and Bennett likely spent time together during those incarcerated timeframes. 15. After-interviewing Bennett, Det. Sgt. MacCallum investigatedTroy'Fcrd's status. He con?rmed Ford was not of?cially listed as a missing person. He discovered Ford had oUtstanding arrest warrants in Vermont and New York. Det. Sgt. MacCallum learned that Ford was originally from Brooklyn, New York. He contacted NYPD and they checked Ford?s last known address in Brooklyn and did not locate him. Det. MacCaiIum then learned of two other last known addresses for Ford in Burlington and St. Albans. Both of these addresses were checked as well without any luck in locating Ford or anyone who . could provide any information regarding Ford?s whereabouts 16. Det. Sgt. MacCallurn conducted a records check for Troy Ford to see if there was any recent . activity thatwould provide information on his whereabouts This record check did not reveal any useful information. Det. Sgt. -MacCal um also located-a last known phone number for Ford and left a message on a generic voicemail, which was not returned. Heralso called a phonenumber associated with Ford?s mother, identified as Shirley Ford, and left a voicemail message, which was not returned. Bot. Sgt. MacCallum also enlisted the assistance of the US Marshal Service. He was contacted by Marshal Drew Rice who was assigned this case. Rice advised he spoke to Ford?s sister identified as Raquel Ford. He learned that Ford?s father and aunt still reside In New York City. However Raquel told Rice she wasn?t going to give the police any further information. She said Ford?s father has had six strokes in the past few years and that Ford and his aunt didn?t get along. Raquel advised the last time she taiked to Ford was when he was incarcerated in Vermont on state charges. Rice asked if it was out of the norm not to hear from Ford in a. year or so and she stated, ?No, that was normal not hearing from . him." He asked Raquei if Ford would reach-cut to his father and she said he doesn?t want to? risk his health and that his father isn't in a position to.help Troy out financially." Rice further advised that Ford had a tattoo on his left arm of Ford?s whereabouts at the-time of the writing of this affidavit are still unknown and the date of his last known contact with anyone is unknown. Discovery of the Body - 18. On May 5, 2018 at approximately 1443 hours, Richard Ranalli (DOB 0202/86) contacted the Vermont State Police to advise of the discovery of human remains in a wooded area on Darlene Drive in Highgate. Troopers were disoatched to this area and located the body in a wooded area close to the roadway. The area where the body was located is an abandoned playground that was once maintained by the housing development but is now overgrown. However, residents still'actively use the wooded walking paths in this area. Ranalli advised he was walking in the area with Nicolas Caruso (DOB 12/10/91) and their attention was drawn to the body by the presence of red material wrapped around the remains. He advised he immediately contacted State Police to report the findings. Troopers responded to the scene where the body was located and secured the area with Crime Scene tape. State of Vermont Vermont State Police Franklin Cotinty, SS Bureau of Criminal investigation Major Crime Unit Case 18A202195 Body dumpsite Distance: .26 miles Guttllia Residence 161 Charles Circle 19. I responded to the scene at approximately 1600 hours and observed what i believed to be a body. which was partially visible through broken branches placed on top it. The body was in a supine position in a depressed contour of land in this wooded wet area. The decomposing body appeared to be . male because of the presence of an Adam? 3 apple. The body was clothed in a black shirt with a Nike logo on the front and jeans. The head of the body appeared to be covered with red bedding material. The feet were covered with some type of red material. consistent with the, color of the bedding on the victim?s head. I was advised by Sgt. David Robillard. who also responded to the scene and observed the body. that he believed the chin area to have black facial. hair, 20. On May 5, 2018 at approximately 2345 hours. David Greenwood showed up at the crime scene on Darlene Drive in Highgate and advised Tpr. John Bruzzi that he had information related to this investigation. Det. Sgt. Ben Katz and. Det James Vooris interviewed Greenwood shortly after. Greenwood advised detectives that approximately two months ago; Richard Leahy told him that Erika Guttilla informed him that she had ?shot a nigger in the head and killed him in her parent?s house} Greenwood was asked to clarify what the word ?nigger meant to him and he advised? a black guy.? No other relevant information was provided by Greenwood related to this investigation. 21. On May S. 2018. Tpr. Andrew Underwood and Tpr. Nick Olson were tasked with scene security in the body disposal area on Darlene Road in Highgate. Tpr. Underwood reported that a red Chevy Spark bearing FHN394. registered to Michael and Carmen Guttilla drove by the crime scene. turned around and drove back at approximately 0356 hours. No contact was made with the occupants of this vehicle. This incident was recorded on Tpr. In- car camera system for future review. . Interview with Melissa Guttilla 22. On May 7. 2018. Detective Sergeants Denis Girouard and Michael thte went to 161 Charles Circle in Highgate to assist with the execution of a search warrant While standing outside of the residence Det. Sgt. Girouard observed a small white vehicle pulled onto the lawn of the home. The driver was identified as Melissa Guttilla (DOB: 2117190). Melissa Guttilla agreed to provide Det. Sgt. Girouard and Det. Sgt. Michael Notte with a recorded interview. 23. During the interview. Melissa Guttilla advised her sister Erika told her that she had shot a black male subject named "Don? (last name unknown) In the head. Melissa said that Erika did not immediately clean up the scene. Melissa advised she thought Don was from NY and was supplying her sister with drugs. She said Erika was using Math and crack. Melissa advised Don was approximately six feet tall and thin. Melissa was shown aphotograph of Troy Ford (DOB 1206/82) and she advised the photograph 'Case 18A202195 State of Vermont Vermont State Police Franklin County, SS Bureau of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit looked like the "Don" that was staying at her parent?s house. During the course of this investigation. - detectives received information that Troy Ford also goes by the alias of "Don.? 24. Melissa advised the people living in her parent's house at 161 Charles Circle in Highgate in the past months included her father (identified as Michael Guttitla), her mother (identified as Carmen Guttilla), her brother (identified as DakotaGuttilla), her sister (identified as Erika Guttilla), and the black male she knew as Don. Melissa said Don stayed in her sister's room, as well as the room upstairs next to Dakota?s bedroom. Melissa advised Erika told her that Don had raped her and clone terrible things to her. .Melissa also advised Don would smoke marijuana and was trying to take over the Guttilla house. 25. Melissa advised her mother (Carmen) told her that Don "had been taken care of." in a conversation with her father (Michael), he made a comment to the effect of "it had been taken care of" and referred to something oh the back said her father then said he was joking. 26. On May 6, 2018, under the authority of a court authorized wire warrant. Melissa agreed to contact her sister by phone and speak with her in the presence of Det. Sgt. Girouard and Det. Sgt. Notte. Melissa then made several phone calls to her sister, Erika Guttilla. These phone calls were audio recorded and copies of the recordings are included in the case files. 27. During one of the phone calls, Melissa asked Erika about the gun that belonged to their mother that had come up missing. Erika tells Melissa "It?s gone. took care of it today.? Shortly after this conversation, Melissa unexpectedly retrieved an empty Glock handgun box from the vehicle that she arrived in and gave it to detectives. The box did not contain any paperwork for the firearm and the serial number had been removed from the box. Melissa believes her mother. had put the case in her car earlier today at the liquor store. '28. _As Melissa continues to talk to Erika on the phone, Erika tells her that the police would probably be looking for her and the red Chevy Spark that she was reportedly driving. Erika tells Melissa that she was going to leave. Melissa tells Erika that she did not want to have her parents dragged into this. Erika stated it was her fault and is then heard saying she did not act alone. Melissa tells Erika that the police were in the driveway at 161 Charles Circle in Highgate and Erica asked if they were in the house. Melissa said ?l don?t know? and Erika replied with an exaggerated Erika said she would call her back and then disconnected. 29. Melissa attempted to sail Erika again and Corey Cassini (DOB O4l22i90), identi?ed ,as Erika?s boyfriend, answered the phone. Melissatold Corey the police were in the driveway and Corey asked what they (referring to the police) were asking everybody. Melissa asked Corey "if that is 'him? down there,? likely referring to Don's body in the woods, and Corey says Corey-then says, "it-would not matter if they did, they have no have proof." Melissa asked Corey if "they did what they had to do? in the room where Don? Was staying at the Guttilla? house and Corey responds, "Yup, it's all good." Interview with Dakota Guttilla 30. On May 8, 2018, Det. Tpr. Richard Stepien interviewed Dakota Guttilla (DOB 11/08/97) at his residence at 181 Charles Circle in Highgate. This interviewwas audio recorded and a copy of the . recording is included in the case file. During the interview, Dakota advised he heard someone found a. body around the corner from? his residence in Highgate. State of Vermont Vermont State Police Franklin County, 88 Bdreau of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit Case 18A202195 31. Dakota advised he lived at the residence with mother. (Carmen) and his father (Michael), who was currently in the hospital for medical reasons. Dakota said that his two sisters (Melissa and Erika) would come visit and sometimes stay the night. Dakota said that Melissa lives with her boyfriend (identi?ed as John Farr) but visited often to help around the house. Dakota? said that Erika would visit sporadically and frequently stayed the night. Dakota said that when Erika visited, she would come and go every 20 minutes or so with several random males. Dakota believed Erika to be making drug runs with various unknown males during this time. 32. Dakota advised he knew the victim (T roy Ford, DOB: 12/06/1982) by the name of "Don." Over the past two years, Dakota said that Don visited the residence often and brought a variety of drugs, which he offered the Guttilla family. Dakota advised he would take some marijuana, but wasn?t sure if Erika would take anything. Dakota said that his parents would leave when Don was there because they didn?t want to be around the drug deals. Dakota said Don was both physically and verbally aggressive towards Erika, Carmen, Michael, and himself. Dakota advised of physical altercations involving Erika. and Don, including an incident when Erika stabbed Don in the back. Dakota said that the last day he saw Don was sometime a few months ago which involved a verbal argument between Don and Erika with Don striking Erika with a Hennessy bottle. Dakota remembered it being cold outside and was just before a snowfall. 33. Dakota said that he left the residence the last time he saw Don and Erika fighting, he went to his friend's house and when he returned later, his mother told him something to the effect of, ?We'tock care of it. Don is gone.? Dakota firstunderstood this as Carmen/Erika settling up with Don and paying what they owed him for the drug money. However, Dakota later started to point out certain things leading to how Erica killed Don. Dakota said that they borrowed a large black garbage can to clean out Don?s room. - Dakota said that after it was emptied, it somehow ended up outside on the back porch. Dakota said this was usually where the recycling-bin was, but said it was left out-there for a period of time, and then randomly disappeared. Dakota described the garbage can as a large plastic container used to discard sheetrock and such. Dakota said the garbage can was about ?neck?high? to 6 feet tall). Dakota said that they would have gotten the can fromone of Michael?s friends and had no idea about who or when it was removed from the back porch. Dakota did not think the garbage can was still on the property. 34. Dakota said that Don outgrew his welcome and no one wanted him living in their house anymore. Dakota said that Don refused to leave and verbally pushed everyone around. Don bragged about having guns and such and physically struck Michael when confronted. Dakota said that Don raped Erika numerous times and would disrespect her all the time. Dakota said that if Erika did kill Don, it was to . protect the tamiiy because they feared that Don would return with gang members to harm them if they' .Upset Don. Dakota said that Erika was not a serial killer, and believed that if she did kill Don, it was because Don pushed her and everyone else to the edge- 35. Det. Tpr. Stepien asked Dakota about the mattresses/box springs outside in the trash pile at the house. Dakota said that .the mattresses were originally from Don?s room about 2 years ago and were kept outside. However, Dakota later said that Erika used the mattresses since she didn?t have a bed. Dakota said the mattresses were on the floor in Erika?s room for her to use, but were recently put outside as Erika allegedly got a new bed-set. Dakota said he went to look at the mattresses and when he lifted one of them, he saw some red marks on it, and was now assuming that it was blood from Don?s death. 36. Dakota said that Erika and her current boyfriend (identified as Corey Cassani) were at the house about four days prior and were smoking crack?cocaine. Dakota said that they were cleaning Erika?s room and some other adjacent rooms. Dakota mentioned that Erika began dating Corey soon after Don?s disappearance. Dakota also said that this was also around the time that an Edward Bennett (DOB: 7 State of Vermont Vermont State Police . Franklin County, 88 Bureau of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit Case 18A202195 03I15f1990) came by the house to visit and meet with Corey/Erika. Dakota said that he didn?t know of any other males visiting Erika that caused issues, except for DonDakota advised he typically keeps .to himself and his family tries to keep him out of the drama. Dakota said that he was aware of the abuse between Don and Erika, and said how he disliked how Don felt like he was entitled to sex, money, and whatever he wanted. Dakota said that he believed that if Erika did kill Don, then she did it to protect the family'and was out of self-defense because Don was constantly, raping her and physically abusing her. Dakota said that Erika would have known where to get her mother's gun and felt like she was pushed to the edge and had no other option but to get rid of Don by killing him. ?Dakota said that he'never heard any gunshots, but advised that he wears a headset while playing video games mostof day and very heavy sleeper. Interview With Carmen Guttilla 38. On-May 6, 2018 at approximately 1800 hours, Det. Sgt. John MacCallum and I located Carmen Guttilla at her place of business at the SWanton Liquor Store. Carmen closed the store at approximately 1900 hour and left the parking lot operating her 2012 black Chevy van. Det. Tpr: Prack (in one vehicle) and Oct. Sgt. MacCallum and (in aseparate unmarked cruiser) followed Carmen?s vehicle. We observed Carmen drive to the Tyler Place in Sheldon, get out of her vehicle and walk around the property for approximately 15 minutes. Carmen got back in her vehicle and we continued to follow her . until she parked her vehicle inthe parking garage at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Det. Sgt. MacCaliurn and were both dressed in business casual attire With our badges and guns concealed. We exited our vehicle to speak to Carmen, who was still seated in the driver's seat of her vehicle and was crying. We identi?ed ourselves as detectives with the 'Vermont State Police and advised we hoped to speak with her. Carmen advised she knew we were following her and she was ready to talk to us: She said she went down to the lake by the Tyler Place to think. She said "the situation? has been going on for two years with ?this man? and he did ?terrible things." 39. Carmen agreed to-speak with Det. Sgt. MacCalium and myself at the hospital. We located a quiet room on the second floor of the hospital to Speak with Carmen. This interview was audio recorded and a copy of the recording is included in the case ?le. Carmen was seated directly next to the door of the quiet room'She was advised numerous times that she was not under arrest, she did not have to speak to us, and she was free to leave at any time. Carmen acknowledged that she understood. She agreed that all of the information she was going to provide us would be the truth under the pains and penalties of perjury. During this interview, Carmen'advised the following: ?Don" (whom she later identified as Troy . Ford) came to her house at 161 Charles Circle in Highgate approximately two years ago. She said she was not happy that he was staying at her house. She said he. manipulated her husband by providing him with drugs, specifically heroin. Carmen advised she could not get Don to leave her house. .She said he? became very bold about things. She said he would take 'money from them, force them to rent cars for him. He said Don was physicaily abusive to both her and physically/sexually abusive to Erika. Carmen advised Don took over the houee-and threatened everyone in the family. She said he took over their lives and held them hostage in their own home. Carmen advised she has an audio recording on her phone of Don beating Erika in the basement. She advised she did not cat! the police because she did not want them to know about the drug use in the residence. Carmen advised she was not a drug user. Carmen advised'the individuals living at the house included? her husband, Erika, Dakota and Don. She said Melissa was not living at the house and had nothing?to do with the incident. Carmen advised the family never told anyone what was going on because they were so ashamed. State of Vermont Vermont State Police Franklin County, 88 Bureau of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit Case 18A202195 40. Carmen advised the "incident? took place before Thanksgiving in November 2017. Carmen advised they just could not get Don to leave. She said he struck her and beat on her and she told Erika she couldn?t take it anymore and her daughter agreed. Carmen advised Erika told her ?Mom, I can?t put up with him anymore. Carmen advised Don was drunk all night long, being abusive and they couldn?t take it anymore. She said, ?Either Erika or myself would have done it that night and it took all night and that morning it was done." Carmen advised she tookthe gun out from the hiding spot where she usually keeps it and laid it on the dresser. She said the gun belonged to her and she would often take it to work at the Liquor Store. She said she took the gun out because she was at a boiling point where she just could not take it anymore. She said she could not be tortured any longer by Don.'She said she could' not stand to see her family destroyed any further and she could not stand to see the things he was doing to her daughter. Carmen confirmed that Erika was standing with her when she took the gun out from the hiding place and put it on the dresser. Carmen said her exact words to Erika were, ?He has .to go.? She said she and Erika had talked about him having to go prior to the incident because Don just wouldn?t leave them alone. Carmen advised Erika said, want to do it. I want to do it.? Carmen advised?Don had - done something to traumatize Erika and she was insisting that she did not .want her mother to shoot Don and that she wanted to shoot him. Carmen advised the gun stayed on the dresser until Don was at a point where "they could handle" him and then Erika took the gun and "went to do it.? 41. Carmen advised Don drank until he passed out and then Erika shot him in the head. She said this happened around 0700 hours in the extra room on the main level of the house where Don had been staying. Carmen said Don was laying on the bed when it happened. She said she was not in the room when Erika shot Don but said she was nearby and heard the gunshot. She thought she only heard one gunshot. Carmen said after Erika came out of the room, she broke down and was freaking out, saying, don?t know if I did it." Carmen said she went into the room where Don was laying on the bed. She said. she looked at him and he was gurgling and then he was gone. Carmen advised she checked Don's pulse to con?rm he was? dead and observed a wound to his head. Carmen confirmed Erika used her .380 Glock . to shoot Don. She advised she did not know where the gun was now. She said the gun disappeared from the house and she did not know where it went. Carmen advised the only people who knew aboutthis incident were her and Erika. She advised her husband and Dakota were home at the time but did not know what happened. She advised Melissa knew nothing about this incident until just recently. 42. Carmen advised the blood from Don?s body was mainly on the mattress in the room. She said Don bled out over the bed and onto the floor. She did not remember the color of the bedsheets on the bed at the time. Carmen advised it was cold outside at the time of 'the incident. She said she and Erika rolled Don?s body up 'in a rug and put him into a garbage can on the back porch" of? the house. She advised when they put him into the black recyclablegarbage bin, he was placed head down. She said they could not put the cover on the garbage bin because it did not fit because ?of the body. She advised she could not remember the color of the rug but stated the rug was still'in her van, along with the tarp that they 'used to wrap Don's body in to keep him from bleeding all over the place. - 43. {Carmen could not remember how tong Don?s body remained on the back porch. She estimated it remained there until at least January 2018. She-advised she thought the body was moved after Erika "opened her mouth? and told people about this incident. She advise-d she knew Erika ran her mouth about this incident to a trials by the name of "Eddie.? Carmen advised Eddie was currently in jail. Carmen advised she never told anyone about this incident and was appalled when Erika "ran her mouth.? Carmen then advised that she 'was not a violent person but stated that it Erika had not shot Don that morning, she would have. She advised one of them was going to get that man, referring to Don, out of their lives. State of Vermont Vermont State Police Franklin County, SS Bureau of Criminal Investigation Major Crime Unit Case 18A202195 44. Carmen said she could not remember speci?cally when they moved the body off the back porch of the house She said Erika and her boyfriend Corey Cassani loaded Don's body into the back of their van. She said she drove the van to the abandoned playground on Darlene Drive and stopped on the side of the road near the gate. She advised Corey and Erika unloaded the body and moved it into the wooded area. She advised she wasn?t sure what the body was .wrapped in and thought he may have been wrapped in a sheet. Carmen advised she drove off and went back approximately 10 minutes later? to pick them up. She advised this happened early In the morning. Carmen advised she did not even know where they took the body and did not see- specifically where they took the body. 45. At approximately 2133 hours, Carmen was read her Miranda Rights. She initially agreed to waive her'rights to speak to us. However, she then advised she felt like she needed to talk to a laWyer before providing any further. information. No further questions were asked. 46. Carmen was taken into custody at the University of Vermont Medical Center at approximately 2145 hours. She was transported to the State Police Barracks in Williston by Tpr. Brad Miller. She was fingerprinted and photographed and lodged at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. Interview with Michael Guttilia 47. On Sunday, 5!6!18 Detective Sergeant MacCallum and were able to speak with Michael Guttilla (DOB 11/7758) at the University of Vermont Medical Center where he was receiving care. The conversation took place at the end of the hallway In the area of his room located at Baird Room 383. Michael had reportedly been walking the hallways and was asked if he would speak with us. Michael agreed and sat in a chair in the hallway. Detective Sergeant MacCalIurn and were dressed in professionai attire with our badges and firearms covered This conversation was audio recorded with a digital audio recorder and later copied to a CD which should be referred to for full details as the following Is simply a summary. 48. Michael was advised that he wasn?t under arrest, didn?t need to talk, and could ask us to leave or walk away at any point. Michael advised he ?kind'of? knew what had occurred. He explained that- he had drug abuse addictions. but was currently ?clean.? Michael identi?ed the male decedent as "Don," who he . believed was from New York and described him as "skinny," approximately 5?1 1? and his race as "black." Michael advised this male came into his family-'3 life approximately one of two years ago. Michael advised the male had been bringing heroin to Michael, who advised that he had been addicted to ?crack" and "heroin." Michael advised the male had been "threatening" and spoke of him having placed a knife to Michael?s throat on one occasion. Michael stated that he never saw anything, but believed that the mate had tried to sexually assault Erika. Michael didn?t know if the mate had been assaultive towards Carmen, but stated that the male may have "grabbed" he'r. Michael advised everyone was "scared? of the male and noted he threatened people multiple times. Michael advised that he believed the male had been shot and noted that he advised that he didn?t want to know what happened when "they? came to tell Michael. 49. Michael stated that he was asleep when the shooting occurred. Michael stated that he-didn?t listen to the specifics as to what occurred because he didn?t want to know and stated that he didn?t want to go to jail Michael advised that he believed Erika had been the shooter. Michael con?rmed 'that Carmen had a handgun which had been hidden in Michael and Carmen?s bedroom at one time as. . according to Michael they didn? want the male to find it. Michael also noted that German and Erika had discussed plans to get rid of the male but reported that he didn?t know details. Michael also advised that . State of Vermont Vermont State Poiice Franklin County, 88 Bureau of Criminal Investigation Major.Crime Unit Case 18A202195 he had gone into the bedroom where the male had been shot but didn?t see anything, as it was ?all scraped up; ?Shortly after our conversation with Michael ended and we departed the area Autopsy Results 50. On May 77, 2018, was advised by Det. Sgt. Matt. Denis that the autopsy revealed the male? had a tattoo of ?Khalima? on his left arm. This identifying information provides confirmation that the male found on the side of Darlene Drive on May 5,2018 is Troy Ford (DOB 12/0682). Det. Sgt. Denis further advised of a single gunshot wound to the head with no exit wodnd. He advised the bullet was located in the male?s head at the time of autopsy. For the above listed ?reasons I have probable cause to believe that Carmen Guttilla (DOB 0/19i58i has committed the following offense: Accessory in the Commission (if a Felony (Homicide), a violation of Title 13, Vermont Statutes Annotated, Section 3. Subscribed?and'sworn to before me on: . This lday of May 2017 . Affiant We); {5qu i 8? Notary PubliclJudicialOt?cer Date 11