Suspect in Gillihan Death to Stand Trial for Murder

Adam Wade Disa, the only suspect in the death of , was ordered today, Aug. 15, to stand trial for murder by Judge Peter Foor, at the end of a preliminary hearing in a Fairfield courtroom.

Gillihan's body was found in her Military East condominium on Feb. 11, 2011 by a co-worker who was asked to stop by her home when Gillihan missed a work shift and her employer was unable to reach her.

Disa was later that evening at the Taco Bell restaurant located at 700 Military West.  The couple was romantically involved and was living together.

Detective Kevin Rose of the Benicia Police Department testified that Disa told him the couple not been getting along and had been having “mutual trust issues” and that Disa believed Gillihan was cheating on him.

Disa told Rose that he arrived home on the evening of February 8 and after an argument he went to bed.  He was awakened by Gillihan early the next morning and the couple had another argument.

Rose then testified that Disa told him Gillihan started to verbally insult him and threatened to self inflict a wound and call Disa’s parole officer.

At the time of Gillihan’s death Disa was for an assault on a former girlfriend.

Rose then testified that Disa said Gillihan tried to hit him and Disa put her in a after blocking her punch.  Disa said Gillihan became unconscious and he laid her on the bed thinking she was still alive.  He didn’t realize she was deceased until he cam home from work the evening of February 9.

During Rose’s testimony Disa, dressed in a green and grey striped jail uniform was visibly upset wiping away tears while Rose described the conversations he had with Disa over the course of the investigation.

Disa was allowed to sit with his attorney without being shackled so he could take notes.

According to Rose, Disa said he became suicidal after he realized Gillihan was dead.

Disa took notes and conferred with his attorney during the 90-minute hearing. At the end of the hearing he was put back in restraints before being led from the courtroom.

Donna Gillihan was on hand for the hearing but wasn’t allowed to sit in the courtroom because she may have been called as a witness.  Gillihan’s cousin was in the courtroom along with family friends.  Kathy Disa was also present as was Disa’s sister.

Neither family wished to speak after the hearing.

A preliminary hearing is held to determine if there is sufficient probable cause to bind a defendant over for trial. The public defender said the jury trial could be put off until early next year.

At the end of the hearing, Public Defender Ken Lee arguing that Gillihan’s death was more a crime of passion asked the judge to change the charge from murder to manslaughter.  Judge Foor refused saying it would be up to the jury to decide.

Disa will be formally arraigned on Aug. 29, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.

Neither the deputy district attorney nor the public defender handling the case would speculate whether the case will go to trial or whether there will be a plea deal. 

Lee, the defense attorney went on to say “If the jury thinks is was totally an accident they might acquit him.”

Disa will be formally arraigned on Aug. 29, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.

Neither the deputy district attorney nor the public defender handling the case would speculate whether the case will go to trial or whether there will be a plea deal.