And
then voila, first thing this morning, just in time for the Sunday paper, the county web site posts a
news release: KPD arrested Darren Galas for the
murder of his estranged wife, Sandra — as in never forget Sandy G.
Imagine
that. A six-year-old, high-profile murder suddenly solved by Shay's "cold case unit," just as
people are going to the polls. The timing, as one observer noted,
was “ really stunningly
serendipitous.”
The
timing isn't the only thing that's kinky. The grand jury, the place
where murder cases are typically taken up, convened Thursday, and
came back for an unprecedented second session on Friday. But it did
not return an indictment against Galas.
Instead,
Galas was brought in Friday on an arrest warrant. It's much easier to
get an arrest warrant, because all that's required is an affidavit
from the investigator. An indictment needs live witnesses, and the
consensus of at least eight grand jurors. It speaks to a much
stronger case.
When
a grand jury doesn't return an indictment on the first go-round,
prosecutors usually work to improve the case and take it back a
second time. There's certainly no need to rush it when the case is
six years old and the suspect lives in Kalaheo.
Unless you're trying to use a woman's
murder to advance your political prospects, and the grand jury won't convene again until after the election.
By pushing forward, Shay has potentially undermined
the case and handed the defense a huge argument — that the timing
was a political decision designed to promote her political prospects.
Gee,
I wonder how Judge Trudy Senda, currently on vacation, will feel
about having this little pile laid in her courtroom next week, with an arraignment required within 48 hours of Galas' arrest, and a preliminary hearing 48 hours after that.
This entire affair brought back memories of an August 17 post:
Amazing,
how the cops made those North
Shore burglary arrests just in
time for the Princeville
“public safety” meeting,
which drew the biggest crowd yet. Actually, the arrests were made
last week and last month, but they weren't announced until the night
before the meeting. Wonder what they've got saved up for the Kapaa
meeting, seeing as how a date has not yet been set. An arrest in the
Amber Jackson murder?
So
transparent, these guys.
But
you'll be pleased to know that, according to an email from Chief Perry, "we (meaning KPD and OPA) are actively working on others that are still unsolved."
Shay, no surprise, did not respond to a request for comment.
Posts
20 comments:
I think we should all be very concerned if this arrest was not a result of a Grand Jury, even more so if Grand Jury was presented and did not return an indictment. Joan you have started with some of the questions this raises. I hope some reporter asks what new evidence has come to light that was not there a year ago. Your suspicions are legitimate.
This is probably the lowest and sickest attempt to gather votes by Shay. She was in office for 4 years and at least half of the unsolved murders has happened during her and perrys watch. Do not forget about the serial rapist murderer, Lauren kagawa, amber Jackson, Nola Thompson, the murders made to look like suicides. If anyone is paying attention to who and what these unsolved murders are connected to then you will understand the dynamics of the good ol boys and gals. It's a Tsunami of Corruption so get your popcorn ready and watch the Shayme Show utilize Perry's strategy in getting a indefinite contract.
What new investigative technique did they use now that couldn't be used in the past six and one half years?
The strategy will be blame the courts when this all unravels.....
Let's be thankful that a killer is off the streets!
What is sad is that there is a family caught in the middle of this and the last thing they need is to be a ploy in Shaylene's political posturing. The husband had a history of physical abuse and statistics show that most women are murdered by someone they know, like a spouse or boyfriend. It is too bad this case couldn't have been resolved quickly instead of allowing 6 years to go by and the sons are now left with very conflicting emotions over the arrest of their only surviving parent. One can imagine the emotional roller coaster ride it has been for them as well as Sandy's parents. For their sake, I hope there is sufficient evidence to get a conviciton.
The frickers are all involved in the Cover up of the superficial murder of Lauren Kagawa! We cannot trust the people who are pulling the strings. It's A Drew Peterson rerun and the people are tired of the protect a criminal program (pohaku) that has always been in place.
Shayme is the definition of what is wrong on Kauai!
Glad they arrested the guy most know is guilty. Sad that the timing is very politically motivated. Also sad that it's been over 6 1/2 years of hell for the family & friends. I can't imagine the trauma for the children. This seemed like an open and closed case from the beginning. My hope is that, despite the political grandstanding & screw-ups by KPD, this man is convicted and justice is served.
Innocent until proven guilty, 7:46AM...
Thanks to the persistence of our justice system. I feel as a parent that even if it took 50 years to convict the individual responsible for such a brutal action, I would wait and pray for the day justice was served. I'm glad that we now have a cold case unit.
Joan and I both knew weeks ago about the rumors of a "big case break" to be dropped on us just before the election. There were multiple credible sources. Now it happens. Considering this fellow was the No. 1 person of interest right from the start, the timing is so obvious as to be ludicrous. Frankly, while I'm glad Sandy G's family MAY have some closure...and I say MAY because Shaylene has exposed the case to challenge...I would rather have seen (perhaps) an arrest in the Amber Jackson case, where there is no credible primary POI to anyone's knowledge. If KPD/OPA thinks this is going to make a substantial difference at the poll, I think they're wrong.
Let's remember he is innocent unless proven guilty. OPA should be stating this too. I certainly hope they have the right guy, but we've already seen innocent people charged for political gain by this OPA. Shay saying he's guilty does not necessarily make it so.
Show of hands of those who think this stunt won't backfire on Shaylene?
Wow Joan, you really stooped low for this one. Rather than praising the efforts of KPD and OPA for finally bringing some justice to Sandy, you have to resort to this. No shame.
Except there hasn't been any justice brought to Sandy. There's been an arrest, politically timed, and made under some questionable circumstances.
He's been arrested before, and was released without going to trial.
When and if Galas is convicted, then it will be time to praise the efforts of OPA and KPD for bringing justice to Sandy G and her family.
So the Lauren Kagawa murder case should be a slam dunk! Not so fast, we know who he is connected to and rumors that they were more than one person involved is all over Hawaii blogs. I guess the last person to see her alive and drop her lifeless body should have been a person of interest huh KPD? If we find out who is covering this up then we will find out who was the killer and his accomplices. Remember to park south of the entrance because there's nothing to see but there's many things unseen.
now we know why Chief Perry was not in contention the first time he applied for the job. he is in way over his head. from violating HRS 92F with his employees, mishandling of internal issues, to riding the bandwagon of ridiculousness with Iseri-Carvalho, this Chief should be punted
A goggle search found this:
http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2009/09/hi-ex-police-officer-bonachita-may-not.html
All that has occurred within this case involving Mr. Galas is Shady period. Yes, it is easier to put blame on the obvious. And no one can blame the family for seeking justice for such a brutal murder. Iseri-Carvalho is seeking votes period. If forensic evidence is concrete then why go against the court system including judicial system and Judges to prosecute Mr. Galas. We are not taking away the facts of his abusive behaviors but there is still no concrete evidence of the sort. The law has questioned all of the neighbors why haven't they questioned the previous relationships as well. Why question those that have no concrete proof but a mere hear say. Not every marriage is perfect, their mishaps of their marriage isn't an evident evidence to prosecute Mr. Galas. I am truly and deeply sorry for Sandy G's families heart ache and lost. However Iseri-Carvalho hasn't been so truthfully forth coming of her previous prosecutions cases that were and were not prosecuted. She reacted upon the fight between KPD Chief and Kauai's mayor, including issues of the Judicial representatives. I commence her for such an ingenuous and reckless motion to eagerly prosecute Mr. Galas. Thru it all. As much as we would all love to see justice in this matter. Whether guilty or not. This case has no start to begin.
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