A 28-year-old woman was sentenced to a longer prison term than expected for causing the death of an 87-year-old Broadway vocal coach by shoving her on a Manhattan sidewalk. The incident occurred on March 10, 2022, and the victim died from her injuries five days later. At the time, the victim was heading to see a student perform after a rehearsal for a cabaret show.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the incident with Pazienza occurred on West 23rd Street as she was leaving Chelsea Park.
The younger woman reportedly crossed the street and insulted Gustern before intentionally pushing her, causing her to fall and hit her head. The District Attorney’s office stated that the push resulted in a severe brain bleed for Gustern. Despite this, Pazienza left the scene, leaving Gustern injured and bleeding. Bystanders called emergency services, and Gustern was taken to the hospital. She was later removed from life support and passed away.
In August, Pazienza pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, avoiding a trial that could have resulted in a 25-year prison sentence. The plea agreement, as noted by the New York County District Attorney, included an eight-year state prison term and five years of supervised release.
However, during the sentencing on Friday, September 29, Judge Felicia Mennin of the Manhattan state Supreme Court questioned whether Pazienza had truly accepted responsibility. As a result, she extended the sentence beyond the plea deal to eight and a half years. Pazienza has been held at the Rikers Island jail complex since May 2022 after her bail was revoked.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in a statement to CNN, commented on the tragic and sudden loss of Barbara Gustern caused by Lauren Pazienza’s actions, acknowledging the profound grief it has brought to her family and community. He expressed hope that the conclusion of the legal proceedings might provide some comfort to her mourning loved ones.
A.J. Gustern, her grandson from Colorado, criticized Pazienza’s expression of regret as insincere, bitterly wishing her a lifetime of misery. Barbara Gustern’s notable students included Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Taylor Mac, a 2017 MacArthur “genius grant” recipient, who previously praised her as an extraordinary person in an interview with the New York Times.