A.L. man charged with murder
Published 10:03 am Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thirty-seven-year-old Chad Jamie Gulbertson on Tuesday was charged in Freeborn County District Court with one count of second-degree murder and one count of third-degree murder in the death of Jody Lee Morrow.
Freeborn County District Court Judge John Chesterman set unconditional bail at $1 million. No conditional bail was set.
The charges come two days after authorities found Morrow, 38, dead in her trailer at 730 Larimore Circle.
Before officers found her, Gulbertson reportedly came into the Law Enforcement Center Sunday with a family member and told an officer he thought he killed his former girlfriend.
Local and state authorities have been investigating the case since.
A preliminary report from the Freeborn County medical examiner has determined that Morrow’s death was caused by multiple blunt force injuries to her head, according to the criminal complaint filed in court.
The complaint states Gulbertson told an officer he had hit Morrow, who was wheelchair bound because of a diabetic condition, with a hammer.
In court Tuesday, Freeborn County Attorney said he believes Gulbertson to be a “flight risk,” especially considering the allegations against him and the evidence that has been found in the case.
The charge of second-degree murder while under a restraining order for protection carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. The third-degree murder charge, of perpetrating an eminently dangerous act and evincing a depraved mind, carries a maximum penalty of 25 years.
Gulbertson is scheduled to appear in court July 6.