Long Island woman charged in singing coach’s death pleads not guilty

Long Island woman charged in singing coach’s death pleads not guilty

The parents of Lauren Pazienza leave criminal court trailed by members of the media after their daughter's arraignment , Tuesday, March 22, 2022, in New York. The 26-year-old woman of Port Jefferson, Long Island, faces a manslaughter charge in the death of Barbara Maier Gustern. Pazienza was arrested Tuesday in the death of a 87-year-old Broadway singing coach who was shoved to the ground on a New York City street. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

NEW YORK (AP) — A woman charged in the death of an 87-year-old Broadway singing coach in Manhattan has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and assault charges. Twenty-six-year-old Lauren Pazienza also was detained after a judge revoked her $500,000 bail during the court appearance on Tuesday. She is accused of shoving Barbara Maier Gustern to the ground on March 10 in the Chelsea neighborhood. Gustern suffered a head injury and died five days later. A prosecutor said Pazienza was celebrating with her fiance that night and became upset after they were told to leave a park because it was closing. The prosecutor said Pazienza pushed Gustern while walking away from the park.

Photo: The parents of Lauren Pazienza leave criminal court trailed by members of the media after their daughter’s arraignment , Tuesday, March 22, 2022, in New York. The 26-year-old woman of Port Jefferson, Long Island, faces a manslaughter charge in the death of Barbara Maier Gustern. Pazienza was arrested Tuesday in the death of a 87-year-old Broadway singing coach who was shoved to the ground on a New York City street. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)