TEXAS – A magistrate judge Monday lowered the bond for an elderly man accused of murdering his terminally ill wife earlier that day.
Ernest Leal, 88, went before a magistrate judge at the Galveston County Jail Monday night.
Just 13 hours earlier, police arrived at Ernest’s house in the 3200 block of Dominique after paramedics said he told them he shot and killed his wife, Anita Leal, 89, as she lay in bed.
Paramedics were initially sent to the house at around 4:20 a.m. because Anita’s heart monitor sent out an alert.
When the health/security company tried calling the house, no one answered.
In turn, the company dispatchers called 911. Paramedics arrived and, after initially being unable to get someone to come to the door, were able to gain entry.
That’s when they were met by Ernest, who reportedly told the paramedics he had fatally shot his wife.
The medics found Anita in her bed with a single gunshot wound to the head.
A gun sat on the floor of the bedroom.
Medics called police, and an officer arrived, confirmed that Anita was dead, and took Ernest into custody. He was charged with murder and initially booked in the Galveston County Jail on $250,000 bond.
During a magistrate hearing in the jail on Monday night, a frail-looking Ernest, who was confined to a wheelchair, was granted a court-appointed attorney, and his bond was lowered to $80,000.
Because the audio feed from the hearing wasn’t working, it was unconfirmed why the judge lowered the bond.
After the hearing, a deputy placed a blanket on Ernest’s legs and slowly wheeled him to the jail’s medical ward.
Because of his age and medical issues, Ernest is unable to care for himself without assistance, officials confirmed.
Police have not confirmed a motive for the killing.