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Man Who Killed Wife With Hammer After Harrowing Assaults Learns Fate In Virginia Court

Regina Redman was remembered as a "very strong woman who wanted the world to be a better place" before she was killed by her abusive husband, who beat her with a hammer, according to the Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

A photo taken outside the Loudoun County Courthouse

A photo taken outside the Loudoun County Courthouse

Photo Credit: Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney

Peter James Lollobrigido, 52, has been sentenced to life in prison with all but 42 years suspended in connection to the repeated brutal assaults of his wife that resulted in her death after she was attacked with the hammer.

Prosecutors say that on July 21, 2021, Lollobrigido and Redman got into an argument on the balcony of their Dulles apartment during which he grabbed her from behind, placed his arm around her neck and choked her, telling her, "you're going to go to sleep, shut the (expletive) up," until she was able to get free by bending his finger back.

The following morning, while Redman was getting ready for work, Lollobrigido again approached her in the kitchen, throwing her into the refrigerator, repeatedly slamming her head on the counter, and dragging her across the floor before slapping her in the face. 

According to prosecutors, when Redman attempted to leave, Lollobrigido followed her into the elevator outside the apartment and continued the assault, again slamming her head, forcing her to cling to a handrail inside the elevator to protect herself from being slammed against the wall again.

Lollobrigido grabbed the woman with such force that the handrail came loose from the elevator wall and he continued to slam her until their teenage son stopped and Redman could escape.

Redman was taken to an emergency room and the police were notified, leading to warrants issued for Lollobrigido's arrest, on July 23, 2021, though he was released on bond a week later.

A Protective Order was issued against Lollobrigido, forbidding him from contacting her and providing her with exclusive possession of their apartment in Dulles.

In September 2021, deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office were called to the same apartment to investigate a shooting call.

On scene, they could hear banging coming from Redman's apartment, and Lollobrigido exited the unit with blood on his clothing and he was taken back into custody.

"The simple fact that this individual was released on an agreed, unsecured bond after badly beating his spouse over the course of two days and then went and murdered her less than two months later is horrifying ... a nightmare come true," Commonwealth's Attorney Bob Anderson said.

"There's a tragic lesson in this case; when you are dealing with an individual with known violent tendencies, the expectation must be that there is protection for the victim.

"Without that protection, the worst-case scenario could be the dire consequence." 

Investigators say that inside the apartment, deputies found Redman suffering from "severe injuries to her head and face," and there was a blood-covered hammer leaning against a nearby wall.

It was determined that Lollobrigido arrived at the apartment, where Redman was in bead, punching and kicking her before going to the kitchen and fetching a hammer from under the sink, which was then used to batter his wife.

Redman died at the hospital a week after the assault. Lollobrigido reached a plea agreement in June this year.

Lollobrigido was sentenced after pleading guilty to: 

  • First-degree murder;
  • Aggravated malicious wounding;
  • Violating a Protective Order resulting in serious injury;
  • Two counts of abduction by force or intimidation;
  • Two counts of assault and battery of a family member.

At his sentencing, prosecutors read testimony from friends and family about the impact Redman had on their lives before she was killed.

"No mother should have to purchase a casket for her daughter's 45th birthday ... "I want this court and the press to know her. She was always very strong. She wanted the world to be a better place. 

"She was the type of person who would give you the last bit of food in her house ... the last piece of clothing she could give. Regina was a beacon of light ... I miss her so much in my life." 

In addition to his prison term, a judge also ordered that Lollobrigido be placed on supervised probation for the rest of his life.

"No mother having felt her child's first heartbeat, should have to feel her last because of the hands of another," her mother added.

Senior Commonwealth's Attorney Christina Brady made note that the prison term is essential a life sentence.

"This case is an unbelievable tragedy ... This plea provides the family with certainty and finality ... There's no room for an appeal ... This sentence will be a functional life sentence." 

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