A grand jury indicted Chad Jamie Gulbertson on Monday with five murder charges — including three first-degree murder charges — in the alleged murder case of Jody Lee Morrow last June.

If Gulbertson is convicted of the charges, he could face life in prison.

According to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office, Gulbertson, 37, of Albert Lea faces:

 One count of first-degree murder involving premeditation.

 One count of first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse.

One count of first-degree murder while committing a burglary.

 One count of second-degree murder intentional.

 One count of second-degree murder while restrained by an order for protection.

Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson said the grand jury made the indictment at about 1 p.m. Monday. He could not reveal any information about how long the jury was convened or how long it deliberated.

The proceedings of the grand jury will now be available to the defense counsel.

Under Minnesota law, the grand jury process is the only means by which a first-degree murder charge can be issued. The grand jury also has the capability of bringing other charges they deem appropriate or taking away charges that have already been filed.

The grand jury indictment Monday replaces the two charges filed by the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office in June. The charges had been second-degree and third-degree murder.

The request to convene a grand jury was prepared by Assistant Minnesota Attorney General Bill Klumpp on behalf of the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office.

The grand jury comprised between 16 and 23 Freeborn County residents, whose identities are kept secret. To issue an indictment, at least 12 jurors had to agree there is probable cause the defendant committed the offense.

Gulbertson was arrested in June after authorities found Morrow, 38, dead inside her trailer at 730 Larimore Circle in Albert Lea on June 21.

Before officers found Morrow, Gulbertson reportedly came into the Law Enforcement Center in the county courthouse with a family member and told an officer he thought he killed his former girlfriend, according to police reports.

A preliminary report from the Freeborn County medical examiner determined that Morrow’s death was caused by multiple blunt-force injuries to her head with a hammer, according to court documents.