The state will seek the death penalty for a local woman accused of murdering her 8-year-old daughter and 71-year-old mother and trying to burn down their house last week, according to Garland County District Court documents.
Melissa "Missy" Ann Galey, 46, of 2208 Lakeshore Drive, appeared via video in district court Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to two counts of capital murder, punishable by the death penalty or life in prison without parole, and one count of criminal attempt to commit arson, punishable by up to 20 years.
Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence told The Sentinel-Record Monday morning she had not waived the death penalty in the case and "my initial instinct is that we won't," but stressed she had not reviewed the case file yet.
At Monday's hearing shortly after 1 p.m., Judge Meredith Switzer ruled Galey would remain on zero bond with a felony review hearing set for Jan. 14. She also granted a defense motion for a gag order limiting pretrial publicity in the case. At that point, prosecutors indicated they would be seeking the death penalty in the case.
According to the probable cause affidavit released Monday, on Nov. 21, at around 7:25 a.m., Hot Springs police responded to the Lakeshore Drive residence to a possible homicide. As they approached the glass front door, officers could see the body of a deceased female child, later identified as Megan Galey, on her back just inside the doorway covered in blood with what appeared to be multiple stab or puncture wounds.
Officers cleared the residence in an attempt to locate any additional victims or a suspect and located a second victim, an adult female, later identified as Wanda Self, who was found inside a rear bedroom. She was also on her back, covered in blood, and appeared to have multiple stab or puncture wounds.
As they searched around the residence, officers located Galey in the backyard coming out from underneath the residence. The affidavit notes the area where Galey was found had "fresh char marks" as if it had been set on fire. Galey reportedly had blood "all over her clothing" and was detained and brought to the police department for questioning.
During an interview with Detective Mark Fallis, Galey allegedly admitted to killing her mother and daughter and attempting to set the house on fire during the incident. She reportedly stated she had been planning the incident for approximately one week.
The Hot Springs School District said in a statement posted on social media the day of the incident that counseling would be provided for students and staff on Monday when classes resumed following the Thanksgiving holiday. Megan Galey was an elementary student in the district.
A woman who identified herself as a family friend, Sunshine Smith, told The Sentinel-Record on Wednesday Galey's eldest daughter had expressed concern for the safety of her younger sister.
Smith said Galey's eldest daughter came to her house the night before concerned about her younger sister because her mother was allegedly claiming "(the father of her children) was Santa Claus, she was going to end the world, and that the devil has taken over."
She said they called state Child Protective Services and decided to let them handle the situation.
In a news release, Cpl. Joey Williams said Galey has no criminal history and this was not a residence where officers had ever responded for criminal activity. He also stated that the police believe Galey acted alone.
Local on 11/27/2018