Woman who fatally shoved 87-year-old onto sidewalk given longer prison sentence than expected

The 28-year-old woman who fatally pushed an 87-year-old into a Manhattan sidewalk has been sentenced to more time in prison than initially expected.

Barbara Gustern passed away five days after the incident took place in New York on 10 March, 2022, when Lauren Pazienza pushed her to the ground.

Gustern, a broadway singing coach, had just left her apartment to go and watch a student’s performance after hosting a rehearsal for a cabaret show.

She encountered Pazienza on West 23rd Street, where the District Attorney's office said Pazienza was walking from Chelsea Park.

The younger woman is said to have crossed a street and shouted obscenities at Gustern before she 'intentionally shoved her to the ground', causing her to fall directly on her head.

The DA's office said the push caused Gustern to suffer a 'massive hemorrhage', but Pazienza walked away and left her on the ground, bleeding from the head.

Gustern was rushed to the hospital after witnesses called the emergency services. She passed away after being removed from life support.

Pazienza pleaded guilty in August to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, avoiding a trial in which she could have been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Under the terms of the plea, the New York County District Attorney said Pazienza would be sentenced to eight years in state prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

However, when sentencing took place on Friday, 29 September, Manhattan state Supreme Court Judge Felicia Mennin said she was was not convinced that Pazienza had taken responsibility for her actions.

She decided to sentence Pazienza to more time than initially stated in the plea deal, handing her a sentence of eight and a half years. Pazienza has been locked up at the Rikers Island jail complex since May 2022, when a judge revoked her bail.

Speaking to CNN on Friday night, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said: “Barbara Gustern’s sudden, violent death at the hands of Lauren Pazienza left a family and community in mourning.

“There 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’ ongoing grief.”

Gustern's grandson, A.J. Gustern of Colorado, described Pazienza's apology for the incident as 'contrived', saying: "I curse you, Lauren Pazienza. For the rest of your days, may you be miserable."

Gustern's students included Blondie singer Debbie Harry, and 2017 MacArthur 'genius grant' recipient Taylor Mac, who previously told the New York Times the coach was 'one of the great humans that I’ve encountered'.

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