In a stunning turn of events, a New York judge has handed down a longer prison sentence to Lauren Pazienza, the woman who pleaded guilty to the fatal shoving of an 87-year-old Broadway singing coach. This decision comes as the judge expressed doubts regarding Pazienza’s acceptance of responsibility for her actions. Originally, a plea deal had agreed upon an eight-year sentence, but now Pazienza will spend an additional six months in prison. The incident occurred on March 10, 2022, when Pazienza pushed Barbara Maier Gustern to the ground, resulting in Gustern’s death five days later.
The altercation took place on West 23rd Street, and it was described by the police as an unprovoked and senseless attack. Prior to the sentencing, Pazienza was reported to have claimed that she accidentally “ran into” Gustern. During court proceedings, Pazienza’s initial apology lasted only 10 seconds, prompting her lawyer to encourage her to say more. AJ Gustern, the grandson of Barbara Maier Gustern, expressed his disbelief in Pazienza’s apology and cursed her in court. He stated, “For the rest of your days, may you be miserable,” according to Gothamist.
Lauren Pazienza entered a guilty plea on August 23. She had been held at Rikers since May 2022 and could have faced a maximum sentence of 25 years if convicted after a trial. Prosecutors revealed that Pazienza attacked Gustern after storming out of a nearby park, where she and her fiancé were enjoying a meal from a food cart. Gustern had just left her apartment to attend a performance by one of her students, following a rehearsal for a cabaret show. Friends and colleagues described Gustern as a remarkable vocal coach who worked with a diverse range of artists. She was known for her collaborations with performers from the Broadway revival of “Oklahoma!” as well as the MacArthur “genius grant” recipient Taylor Mac, who spoke highly of her in an interview with the New York Times.
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