Autopsy confirms brutal murder

WWAY has obtained the autopsy report for 58 year-old Laura Gallagher, who was found dead, along with her husband Jim, in their Ogden home earlier month. Mrs. Gallagher’s son, Gerard Altman, is charged with the two murders.

The autopsy confirms Mrs. Gallagher died from multiple sharp and blunt force injuries, several of which were to her head and the back of her body.

A grand jury returned two counts of first-degree murder yesterday, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

“We will have what’s a called a rule 24 hearing, which is when we present evidence as to why we believe the death penalty is appropriate in this case. Ultimately, the choice to decide whether someone lives or dies does not rest with an individual, it rests with a jury.” Said NHC District Attorney Ben David.

New Hanover County’s last capital murder trial was in 2004. Mr. Gallagher’s autopsy has not yet been released.