Man Accused of Beating Wife to Death Is Back behind Bars

TYLER — The man accused of beating his wife to death last Thanksgiving in Smith County is now back in jail. Kelly Gage, 50, was arrested Thursday for allegedly violating his probation. Gage spent 90 days behind bars for allegedly beating his wife, Patti McHugh Gage. McHugh later died from her injuries, which her son Nicholas claimed were caused by Gage. However, authorities failed to gather enough evidence to charge Gage with the crime, and he was released on February 28, 2012, after his bond was reduced from $1 million for aggravated assault to a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

Upon his release, Patti Gage’s son, Nicholas McHugh, and his younger brother, Caden, both took out protective orders against Gage. At the time, Nicholas told KETK, “I’m really scared of any type of retaliation. He’s really nuts and he’s threatened my life and my grandmother’s life particularly in the past.” The investigation into the case is ongoing. There is no word at this time exactly how Gage allegedly violated his probation. He is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $30,000 bond.