DOTHAN, Ala. — Phillip Gore was denied bond during a hearing held Thursday in Houston County Circuit Court.
Judge Benjamin Lewis ruled that Gore will remain in custody without bond under Aniah’s Law.
Gore is facing murder, arson and assault charges stemming from an April house fire in Kinsey that critically injured his wife, Kelley Gore, and her two children. Kelley Gore later died from her injuries, leading authorities to upgrade the case and charge Gore with murder.
The two children injured in the fire survived. Previous court proceedings identified the children as Gore’s stepchildren.
Thursday’s hearing focused on whether Gore would be eligible for bond on the most recent charges. Following arguments presented in court, Lewis ruled that Gore would be held without bond under Aniah’s Law, which allows judges to deny bond to defendants charged with certain violent offenses when prosecutors demonstrate that no conditions of release can reasonably protect the community or ensure the defendant’s appearance in court.
Gore remains in the Houston County Jail as the case moves forward through the court system.
