Last year, a 28-year-old former event planner pushed an 87-year-old Broadway singing instructor onto a Manhattan pavement without any provocation. As a result of this heinous act, the perpetrator pled guilty to manslaughter in August and was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in jail.
According to recent reports, Manhattan state Supreme Court Judge Felicia Mennin has extended Lauren Pazienza’s plea agreement sentence by six months. Pazienza was previously sentenced to eight years for fatally shoving a singing coach on a Manhattan sidewalk last year. Judge Mennin explained that the extension was due to Pazienza’s failure to accept responsibility for her actions.
Had the defendant not agreed to the plea deal, she could have potentially faced a 25-year prison sentence if a jury had found her guilty.
The Reason for the Murder of an 82-Year-Old Still Remains a Mystery
As per the plea agreement, Pazienza admitted to using foul language and intentionally pushing Gustern down. However, the reason for her actions remains unclear.
As per the prosecution, the young woman quickly approached Gustern on a Chelsea sidewalk, hurled insults at her, and shoved her to the ground. The incident led to Gustern’s tragic death. The accused was taken into custody at Rikkers Island jail after a judge revoked her bail in March 2022.
Gustern had some famous clients, including Debbie Harry of Blondie. Kimilee Bryant, a performer from South Carolina, spoke highly of Gustern, referring to her as her “New York mom.” Bryant shared that Gustern and her late husband even hosted her when she first moved to New York City for a run on Broadway in “The Phantom of the Opera” years ago.
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