Associated Press Associated Press ADVERTISING WAILUKU, Maui — A California tourist accused of murdering an attorney while they vacationed on Maui and then jumping off a 100-foot cliff to escape police has pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of
Associated Press
WAILUKU, Maui — A California tourist accused of murdering an attorney while they vacationed on Maui and then jumping off a 100-foot cliff to escape police has pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of manslaughter.
Santa Cruz couple Celestial Cassman and Gerald Galaway Jr., had been staying together at a Kaanapali hotel last year. During the trip, Cassman’s body, clad in a ripped bathing suit, was found near Nakalele Point in northern Maui after witnesses reported seeing her struggling with a man. When police arrived, the man took off running and jumped off a cliff into the ocean. Police rescued Galaway from a reef the following morning.
After a hospital stay, Galaway was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree attempted sexual assault and kidnapping. He changed his plea Thursday under an agreement with prosecutors. He also pleaded no contest to kidnapping. Prosecutors agreed to drop the other charges.
Galaway faces 20 to 40 years when he’s sentenced Sept. 11. If convicted on the murder charge, he would have faced life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Cassman’s relatives are expected to attend the sentencing.
Defense attorney William Sloper declined to comment Friday. Galaway remains held without bail.
An autopsy determined Cassman, 35, died of asphyxiation. Her body was found under a tree in a rocky gulch area, with a black T-shirt rolled up around her neck.
Cassman worked for a Santa Cruz law firm representing several cities. She was also a member of the board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County, a group that trains adult volunteers to serve as mentors to abused, neglected and abandoned children.
“Celestial was a very talented city attorney and a wonderful person. Everyone in the city continues to miss her to this day,” friend and former Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty said Friday. “I hope her family can find some comfort in the sentencing of her killer.”
