Man accused in Bangor beating death makes first court appearance

BANGOR (BDN) -- The 29-year-old charged with depraved indifference murder in the death of Jason Moody, 40, of Bangor made his first court appearance Monday at the Penobscot Judicial Center.

Donald Galleck of Bangor was not asked to enter a plea to the charge because he has not yet been indicted by the Penobscot County grand jury. The grand jury next convenes Nov. 28.

District Judge John Lucy ordered Galleck to be held without bail, which is standard in a murder case.

The judge granted a motion by Assistant Attorney General Meg Elam to seal the affidavit in the case. It is not unusual for judges to seal affidavits in murder cases until after the grand jury has indicted a defendant.

Lucy handled Monday’s court proceeding. A superior court justice is expected to be appointed to handle the case going forward.

Galleck also is charged, in cases unrelated to the homicide, with domestic violence assault, a Class D crime, on July 24 and violating his bail conditions, a Class E crime. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Class D crimes carry a maximum punishment of 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Class E crimes carry up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Galleck is next due in court Jan. 22 on all the charges.

Galleck allegedly was found hiding Friday in an apartment on Fifth Street in Bangor. Mary Molnar, 33, of Bangor was charged with hindering apprehension, police said.

She was released Saturday on $750 cash bail.

The investigation that led to Galleck being charged began Nov. 11 when

Moody was found unconscious at about 10:40 p.m. at the intersection of Center and Cumberland streets when police responded to a report of an injured male. He was taken to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and died of his injuries Tuesday afternoon.

An autopsy determined the manner of death to be homicide, police said last week. The exact cause of death was not released.

If convicted of murder, Galleck faces between 25 years and life in prison. He faces a year in prison if convicted of domestic violence assault and six months in jail if convicted of violating his bail conditions.