LIHU‘E — An indictment against the accused murderer in a 2006 murder case was received Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court. After making an initial appearance Monday in District Court, Galas, 40, of Kalaheo, was to begin preliminary hearings today. However,
LIHU‘E — An indictment against the accused murderer in a 2006 murder case was received Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court.
After making an initial appearance Monday in District Court, Galas, 40, of Kalaheo, was to begin preliminary hearings today. However, on Tuesday a grand jury indictment was received that will move the case to 5th Circuit Court.
The grand jury foreperson, who was not able to be contacted for the Monday hearing, was present with Jonathan Chun, special counsel to the grand jury, to deliver the returned indictment reached last Friday. The report was read to Judge Kathleen Watanabe of the 5th Circuit Court.
County Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho represented the state. She read the second-degree murder charge that accuses Galas of killing his estranged wife on Jan. 25, 2006.
Sandra Galas, 27, was killed with blunt force trauma to the head and strangulation with a cord-like object. She was found dead in her car inside the garage of her ‘Ele‘ele home.
Iseri-Carvalho said the couple was separated and going through a bitter divorce at the time. They were in a custody battle over their two young children, and Sandra was trying to sell the home, Iseri-Carvalho said.
Per diem Judge Joseph N. Kobayashi set bail at $1 million during Monday’s initial appearance in District Court. On Tuesday, Watanabe granted the prosecutor’s request to transfer the bail and hold the suspect as he is served with an indictment on the felony charge.
Galas will be represented by private attorney Michael Green.
A story printed Tuesday said Galas was arraigned Monday. That will actually occur after he is served with the indictment and given a date to enter a plea in Circuit Court.
• Tom LaVenture can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
