The woman who pled guilty to fatally shoving an 87-year-old New York City voice coach was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison Friday, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
Lauren Pazienza shoved 87-year-old Barbara Gustern in Manhattan on Mar. 10 2022. Gustern died five days later of blunt force trauma to the head, officials said at the time.
Pazienza was also sentenced to 5 years post-release supervision. Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On the day of the incident, Pazienza shouted obscenities at Gustern before she crossed the street and shoved her to the ground, the District Attorney\u2019s office said. She eventually fled to her family\u2019s Long Island home and was arrested\u2002almost two weeks after the attack.
Gustern fell and hit her head, causing hemorrhaging to the left side of her brain, according to the district attorney’s office. She was taken to the hospital where she became unconscious and died five days later after being removed from life support.
Pazienza pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in a plea deal on August 23, according to a\u2002statement from the District Attorney’s office.
\u201cBarbara Gustern\u2019s sudden, violent death at the hands of Lauren Pazienza left a family and community in mourning,\u201d Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement shared with NBC News. \u201cThere is nothing that can bring her back, but I hope that the resolution of these proceedings can provide some sense of closure amid her loved ones\u2019 ongoing grief.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n