NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: AJ Maier Gustern, the grandson of the 87-year-old Barbara Gustern, who was randomly assaulted on the streets of Manhattan, New York, on March 10, 2022, felt that the apologies of the perpetrator, Lauren Pazienza, were not sincere, during her sentencing on Friday, September 29.
The 28-year-old former events coordinator for a high-end French furniture company denied calling the beloved vocal coach a "b***h" before shoving her to the ground. She then broke down after being sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, as per the New York Post.
What did the judge tell Lauren Pazienza before her sentencing?
Justice Felicia Mennin of the Manhattan Supreme Court added six months to Lauren Pazienza's expected sentence of eight years after castigating her by saying, "I am really concerned by your apparent inability to take responsibility for your actions."
Prosecutors said that she had given a probation officer inconsistent accounts about her responsibility for killing the voice coach Barbara Gustern, whom she apparently called a "b***h" before shoving her to the ground in an unprovoked attack.
Panienza claimed differently in court when questioned by Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Justin McNabney and denied using the expletive.
In August, she pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter but had her sentence changed by Justice Mennin after she claimed to a probation officer that she simply "ran into" the victim.
How did Lauren Pazienza apologize in court?
Lauren Pazienza apologized twice to the court before the judge’s ruling. In her first apology, which apparently lasted 10 seconds, she only addressed how sorry she felt for what happened on that fatal night.
On being nudged by her lawyer, Arthur Aidala, she attempted to apologize again and said, "I never should have pushed anybody, and I’m so sorry," while in tears.
She continued, "I wish I could take it back but God doesn’t turn back the clocks. I’m just so sorry."
What did AJ Maier Gustern think of Lauren Pazienza's apology for his grandmother Barbara Gustern's death?
AJ Maier Gustern, who sat still through Lauren Pazienza's apology in court, stated that he felt the apology wasn’t sincere and that the accused only said it to make herself look good.
"She’s squirm and squirm and squirm," stated Gustern, adding, "She just doesn’t seem like she is even maybe capable of accepting responsibility."
In his victim impact sentence, the grandson blamed Pazienza for ruining several pleasures in his life, such as getting voice lessons from his grandmother, and said that New York City would never be the same for him.
"My baba felt safe in this city, even late at night, and you’ve ruined that," said AJ.
