Anna Maria Tolomello, a 51-year-old woman who owned Pina’s Pizza in Chalfont, PA was sentenced to 18 to 40 years in state prison for the murder of her boyfriend and business partner, Giovanni Gallina. The crime occurred in March 2022. Tolomello initially claimed that she had shot Gallina in self-defense, alleging that he was strangling her. However, forensic evidence showed that Gallina was shot in the back of the head in an unprovoked attack. Tolomello also confessed to disposing of evidence, including hiding Gallina’s body in their home for 13 days and putting a bloody mattress in a dumpster outside the pizza shop. The judge in the case called her actions ‘heinous’.
Anna Maria Tolomello. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Muncy, PA. August 6, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED
Anna Maria Tolomello, a 51-year-old woman from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 18 to 40 years in state prison for the murder of her boyfriend and business partner, Giovanni Gallina, who was 65 at the time of his death. The case has garnered significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the background of the individuals involved.
Background
Anna Maria Tolomello owned and operated Pina’s Pizza in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. She and Giovanni Gallina, who was also her life partner, ran the business together before the incident.
The Crime
Anna Maria Tolomello, a woman from Bucks County, committed a shocking crime on March 16, 2022, when she shot and killed Giovanni Gallina. The motive behind the murder is complex and has been a subject of discussion. Tolomello’s son, Phillip Gallina, suggested her actions were motivated by greed. Tolomello’s defense attorney presented a narrative of a lifetime of abuse, including violence in her relationship with Gallina. Tolomello argued that she acted in self-defense when she shot Gallina, alleging he was choking her. However, forensic evidence showed that Gallina was shot in the back of the head in an unprovoked attack. Tolomello also used gambling apps within an hour of the killing, which may indicate other factors at play. The complexity of the case and the circumstances leading up to the crime contributed to the difficulty in pinpointing a single clear motive.
Discovery and Arrest
Gallina’s body was discovered wrapped in a blue tarp inside the couple’s bedroom nearly two weeks after his son reported him missing. Tolomello had also attempted to dispose of evidence by putting a bloody mattress in a dumpster outside the pizza shop.
Trial and Sentencing
Tolomello pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in April 2024 as part of a plea agreement. During the sentencing, Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Gary Gilman described her actions as “heinous” and stated that, although Tolomello may have experienced some form of domestic abuse from Gallina, the killing was not done in self-defense.
Personal History
Anna Maria Tolomello, a woman known for her kindness and generosity, was involved in a complex relationship with Giovanni Gallina, a business partner. Their relationship was marked by violence, with Tolomello allegedly suffering sexual abuse from her father until she was 12. Gallina, who was 65 years old at the time of his death, was described as a hard-working man who was loved by all.
Tolomello’s defense attorney, Antonetta Stancu, argued that Tolomello acted in self-defense during the incident, claiming that Gallina was choking her. However, forensic evidence contradicted this claim, indicating that Gallina was shot in the back of the head.
Giovanni Gallina, who co-owned Pina’s Pizza in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, was described as a hard-working man who was deeply committed to his family and business. His children’s statement highlighted the sense of betrayal and loss they felt due to Tolomello’s actions, which they believed were motivated by greed.
Gallina’s disappearance for two weeks without contact was alarming to his son, Phillip, and ultimately led to the discovery of the crime. The defense’s claim that Gallina acted in self-defense was contradicted by forensic evidence, highlighting the tragic events that led to Gallina’s death.
Community Impact
The case has left the community and those who knew Tolomello in disbelief, as she was known to be a kind, loving, and generous person. The pizzeria, Pina’s Pizza, was a popular establishment in Chalfont but closed soon after the murder. The property was sold in August 2022.
Conclusion
The case of Anna Maria Tolomello is a tragic one, with a complex interplay of personal history, alleged abuse, and a violent act that led to the loss of life and the end of a community business. The sentence reflects the gravity of the crime and the impact it has had on the victim’s family and the community at large.
VIDEO: Pizza parlor owner admits to shooting partner in head, hiding body in master bedroom: Police | https://youtu.be/rKWvHXvViCQ
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