Pizza shop owner 'motivated by greed' sentenced for killing partner and wrapping his body in tarp
06/26/2024 1:20 pm PDT
CHALFONT, Pa. (TCN) -- A 51-year-old woman will spend 18 to 40 years in state prison for fatally shooting her longtime boyfriend and business partner in 2022 and leaving his body in their home for nearly two weeks.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced Anna Tolomello’s sentencing guidelines on June 25. She pleaded guilty in April to third-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse in connection with the shooting death of her boyfriend and business partner, 65-year-old Giovanni Gallina. Tolomello and Gallina reportedly operated Pina’s Pizza together in New Britain, Pennsylvania.
According to prosecutors, Gallina’s son reported his father missing after he hadn’t heard from him since March 16, 2022, and couldn’t reach him. Tolomello never told law enforcement about Gallina’s disappearance and instead reportedly claimed the victim was out of town.
Police responded to the home of Tolomello and Gallina, where they found Gallina’s body in the primary bedroom wrapped in a blue tarp. Prosecutors said Tolomello initially claimed she fatally shot Gallina in the head in self-defense, but she eventually admitted "her killing of Gallina was unjustified." Tolomello reportedly hid her partner’s body in their home for 13 days and removed and destroyed evidence.
According to court documents obtained by WTXF-TV, Tolomello also hired someone to dig a hole in her driveway and said she would fill the hole up with a shovel.
Prosecutors said the defendant used gambling apps on her phone shortly after the killing, which Common Pleas Judge Gary Gilman called "heinous."
In an impact statement, Gallina’s children reportedly said their father was "a hardworking man who was loved by all."
His kids believe Tolomello’s crimes were "motivated by greed," and the victim’s "legacy was destroyed by someone who only thought of themself."
- Pizza Shop Owner Sentenced to 18-40 Years in State Prison for Killing Partner in Chalfont Home - Bucks County District Attorney's Office
- Anna Tolomello Pleads Guilty to Killing Partner in Chalfont Home, 8/8/2024 - Bucks County District Attorney's Office
- Pa. woman pleads guilty to killing boyfriend, business partner and keeping body in home for 13 days, 4/8/2024 - TCN
- Pa. pizza shop owner allegedly killed business partner, left 'wrapped up' body in bedroom, 4/1/2022 - TCN
- Bucks County pizzeria owner charged with murder in partner’s death, 3/31/2022 - WTXF