During her sentencing hearing, Lauren Pazienza was given an eight-and-a-half-year prison term, which was six months longer than the recommended sentence as part of her plea agreement with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Manhattan State Supreme Court Judge Felicia Mennin, while delivering a slightly more severe sentence, expressed doubts about Pazienza taking responsibility for her actions on March 10, 2022.
On that day, Pazienza yelled obscenities at Gustern, who was leaving a gathering with students, and intentionally pushed her to the ground. This caused Gustern to fall and suffer a brain injury, which eventually led to her death several days later.
Mennin told Pazienza, "I am really concerned about your apparent inability to take responsibility for your actions." Prior to her sentencing, Pazienza had stated that she was "profoundly sorry" for her actions.
Mennin also noted that if it were her own grandmother, she would be devastated.
During the sentencing, Gustern's grandson, A.J., criticized Pazienza's apology as "contrived" and cursed her, saying, "For the rest of your days, may you be miserable," as reported by Newsday.
Gustern had a notable clientele, including Debbie Harry from Blondie, Diamanda Galás, Kathleen Hanna from Bikini Kill, Broadway performers, and many aspiring singers.
She was known for her dedication, even walking up to a mile and a half to attend her students' shows. Despite her petite stature, she was a dynamo in the music world, described as generous, smart, well-read, and funny by her students and peers.
In August, Debbie Harry expressed her dissatisfaction with Pazienza's sentencing, believing it to be too lenient for such a senseless crime.
She felt that proper justice had not been served for Gustern's murder and criticized the plea deal that would likely see Pazienza serve less than eight years for the crime.
In another news, a Community activists came together on Tuesday to support an 11-year-old girl, Trinity Washington, who endured a brutal attack in Chicago. Her parents are determined to bring attention to their child's ordeal. See detailed story here
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