Woman Sentenced to Longer-Than-Expected Prison Term for Fatal Shoving of Broadway Coach

Lauren Pazienza, the woman who fatally shoved 87-year-old Broadway vocal coach Barbara Gustern, has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison for manslaughter. The sentence is six months longer than what was recommended in the plea agreement. The judge expressed concern over Pazienza's apparent lack of responsibility for her actions. Gustern's grandson criticized Pazienza's apology as "contrived," while Debbie Harry and Kathleen Hanna, among others, praised Gustern's talent and character. Harry condemned the lenient sentence, stating that it was a disservice to Gustern's contributions to the city.