Life term for killing great-aunt in Yeadon
David Galdo, 28, made a plea deal. Krystal Mariani, codefendant, is set for a Dec. trial.
An Upper Darby man has been sentenced to life in prison in the robbery and beating death of his 85-year-old great-aunt last year.
Twenty-eight-year-old David Galdo cried Friday as he pleaded guilty in Delaware County Common Pleas Court to second-degree murder and conspiracy to rob in the death of Rita Hreha, who was found dead on the kitchen floor of her Yeadon home in March 2008. The plea agreement spared Galdo a possible death penalty.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher DiRosato said the victim gave "unconditional love" that the defendant returned with "unconditional murder."
Galdo, dabbing at his eyes, apologized to his family. Defense attorney Emilio DiMatteo said his client loved Hreha but had an "all-consuming heroin addiction."
Family members declined comment other than to say that the victim had helped to raise the defendant.
Galdo's codefendant, 23-year-old Krystal Mariani, still faces a first-degree murder charge and is scheduled for trial in December.
