While a 63-year-old grandmother remains hospitalized in Waterbury, the man who allegedly put her there is on suicide watch in a Bridgeport jail.
Scott Gellatly, 46, appeared Tuesday in Superior Court in Milford. He is accused of shooting his estranged wife, Lori, to death in their Oxford home May 7, and of trying to kill Lori’s mother, Merry Jackson.
Jackson was listed in critical condition at St. Mary’s Hospital as of about 5 p.m. Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Gellatly is due back in court June 3. A probable cause hearing in the case has been tentatively scheduled for June 27.
Gellatly did not speak during Tuesday’s court hearing. He was represented by Michael Egan, a public defender.
Judge Frank Iannotti, at prosecutor Kevin Lawlor’s request, ordered Gellatly not to contact his 18-month-old twins, a boy and a girl, he had with Lori.
Gellatly has been on suicide watch since his arrest, as he was found by police six hours after the shootings in a vehicle with a rubber hose running from the exhaust pipe into the car.
He is also undergoing mental health evaluations. His bond remains at $2 million on the most serious charges.
“We love you Scott,” a woman dressed in black said as marshals escorted Gellatly out of the courtroom.
The video below contains a few remarks by Lawlor:
After the court hearing, three people, two women and a man, possibly relatives of Lori and her mother, walked out of the courthouse, holding hands and wearing dark glasses.
They asked the media to respect their privacy, and walked away from the proceedings down West River Road, continuing to hold hands.
Christine Lindeberg grew up with Scott in Fairfield County. She told reporters outside court that Gellatly’s side of the family is shocked by what happened and are devastated over Lori’s death.
She urged people to keep the Jackson family in their thoughts.
“We are praying for Merry. We are praying for the Jackson family. Especially we are praying for the children in all of this,” she said. “We love Scott, we support him as family, but he will face what he will have to face.”
Article continues after video of Lindeberg.
Court documents filed by Lori and Gellatly’s first wife allege he was bipolar and was supposed to be taking medications. However, Lindeberg said she was unaware of any mental health issues.
“We did not see this at all. We’re still in shock. Lori, what a great woman. Phenomenal woman. We’re all shocked by this,” Lindeberg said.
Gellatly posted public messages on his Facebook page detailing the deterioration of his marriage, alleging his wife wasn’t faithful.
He allegedly forced his way into their Sioux Drive house shortly before 6 a.m. May 7 and shot the two women. Their children were in the house but were not harmed. They are being cared for by family. He also has to older children from a previous marriage.
The Oxford Ambulance Association is collecting donations to help the Jackson family.
Jerry Schwab, the association’s executive director, said about $5,000 has been collected. He hopes to collect $25,000.
The Jackson family will probably need help with hospital bills, and the children needs Oxford’s support.
“We’ll try to alleviate burdens for the family anyway we can,” Schwab said.
The fund is also meant as a way to help people cope with a senseless situation.
“People are still in shock. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet,” Schwab said.
