VIDEO: Galaway Murder Trial on Maui Postponed

Gerald W. Galaway Jr. (left), and defense attorney William Sloper. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The trial of a man accused of murder in the death of a California woman on Maui last year was scheduled to start today, but was postponed to 8:30 a.m. on July 9, 2012.

This was the second time that the trail for Gerald W. Galaway Jr.was  pushed back. The case was originally scheduled to proceed on December 5th, when a similar waiver was signed and presented to the court.

“I have informed the attorneys that I would like to see the case proceed to trial, and I don’t want to have it continued over an extended period of time,” said 2nd Circuit Court Judge Joseph Cardoza today.  “So I’m hoping that absent of unforeseen developments, that this case proceed to trial as scheduled,” he said.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNKJVgjgvFQ /] Under the combined stipulation and waiver documents, Galaway agreed with the government to postpone his trial.  The documents also indicate that Galaway is waiving his right to a speedy trial from the period of December 5, 2011 through and including July 9, 2012.

Galaway responded to a series of questions from the judge, asking if he understood the agreement, to which Galaway said, “Yes Your Honor.”

In addition to the trail date, a pre-trial conference was also set for 3:30 p.m. on May 23.

Galaway, of Santa Cruz, California, entered not-guilty pleas six months ago to the charges included in the grand jury indictment of second-degree murder, attempted first-degree sexual assault, and kidnapping.

The charges stem from a September 1, 2011 homicide investigation in the remote Nakalele Point area of West Maui.

Officers responding to a report of domestic violence recovered the body of Celestial Cassman, a 35-year-old woman who worked as a deputy city attorney in Santa Cruz.

An autopsy report revealed that the cause of Cassman’s death was asphyxiation, according to Maui Police.

2nd Circuit Court Judge Joseph Cardoza. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Gerald W. Galaway Jr. (left), and defense attorney William Sloper (right, foreground). Photo by Wendy Osher.

Court calendar. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Robert Rivera, First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Photo by Wendy Osher.