The Wapato man accused of killing a woman hours after his release from jail was denied bail at his preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Gianni Philip Alaimo, 45, is charged with aggravated first-degree murder and second-degree assault, both with domestic violence enhancements, in connection with the Sept. 6 shooting death of his girlfriend Heather England, 37.

The day before the shooting, Alaimo was released from jail after he was accused of ramming the car England and her sister were in. While police recommended that a high bail be set for Alaimo on Sept. 5, Judge Jared Boswell went with the pretrial services recommendation to release him on supervision by court staff.

Deputies were called to a home on Mellis Road near Parker early Sept. 6 for shots fired and a domestic violence incident and found England fatally shot, the Sheriff's Office said.

Alaimo was arrested in downtown Yakima following a car chase Tuesday after Crime Stoppers received a tip about his whereabouts.

Deputy Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Diane Hehir said that since his arrest, Alaimo has threatened jail staff and damaged a booking room by breaking a window and putting a hole in the wall.

Aliamo reportedly stated to jail staff that he believes "he is going away for life" and "has nothing to lose," Hehir said.

She asked Judge Sonia Rodriguez True that Alaimo be brought to court in shackles, saying he is a danger to the public.

"His temperament I would describe as explosive," Rodriguez True said. "I do conclude that shackling is necessary to ensure the safety of the courtroom."

Rodriguez True also granted Alaimo's request to not be brought to the courtroom and continue his appearance over Zoom, but said that he must be in person for the rest of his hearings.

Alaimo's bail was initially set at $1 million, but prosecutors argued that he was a danger to the public and a denial of bail was warranted.

"Within 12 hours of being released previously, he murdered the victim," Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tyler Haueter said.

After Rodriguez True denied bail, Alaimo walked out of view of the Zoom camera.

"He voluntarily left the hearing to say he was not staying for it," a corrections officer told Rodriguez True later.

If convicted, Alaimo would receive a mandatory life-without-parole sentence.

Questen Inghram is a Murrow News Fellow at the Yakima Herald-Republic whose beat focuses on government in Central Washington communities. Email qinghram@yakimaherald.com or call 509-577-7674.

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