LIHUE — A Kauai man changed his plea to no contest in connection to the 2006 death of his wife, saying he realizes how much anguish the case has caused his family.
Darren Galas on Monday pleaded to a reduced charge of assault for the February 2006 death of his wife, Sandra Galas.
The victim was found strangled in the garage of her home. Her estranged husband was the prime suspect, but police didn’t have enough evidence to arrest him.
Sandra Galas was 27 years old when she died and the mother of two children. The Galas’ were married in 1999 and separated in 2005. Sandra Galas asked for a divorce after the separation, according to reports.
Police believe Sandra Galas was killed while she and Darren Galas were involved in a custody dispute over their two children.
The case was cold until 2012, when investigators were able to pin Darren Galas to the crime with the use of new forensic techniques.
He was then arrested, charged and held on $1 million bail.
He faces up to 10 years in prison.