In a recent development surrounding the case of Lauren Pazienza, a Long Island woman accused of pushing veteran Broadway singing coach Barbara Maier Gustern to her death, her attorney, Arthur Aidala, has raised concerns about the fairness of her legal proceedings. Pazienza, 27, pleaded guilty to the tragic incident which occurred last March on a Chelsea sidewalk, resulting in the 87-year-old vocal coach's unfortunate demise.
In a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday, Arthur Aidala, a renowned lawyer whose past clients include Rudy Giuliani and Harvey Weinstein, contended that Pazienza's case might have been influenced by her race. Aidala stated that if Pazienza were not white, she might not have faced the same charges of manslaughter in the first degree. He highlighted that discussions of race should not be dismissed, and that media coverage might be influenced by such factors.
Aidala emphasized that the media's attention on this case could be attributed to Pazienza's racial background. He pointed out that if the roles were reversed, and an African American woman had been involved, the story might not have garnered the same level of attention.
Pazienza has agreed to a plea deal that will likely result in an eight-year prison sentence for the incident. This sentence is considerably shorter than the potential 25-year term she could have faced if the case had gone to trial. Her sentencing is scheduled for September 29.
Pazienza has been held at Rikers Island for over a year since the incident occurred. Aidala criticized her pre-trial detention, stating that it was unreasonable considering her lack of serious criminal history. He compared her situation to that of other individuals with prior records who were not held in custody before trial.
The tragic incident occurred when Pazienza allegedly shoved Barbara Maier Gustern to the ground, resulting in severe head injuries. Gustern passed away five days later. It was reported that the attack appeared to be random, with Pazienza allegedly using derogatory language before pushing her victim. Reports suggested that Pazienza had consumed alcohol and possibly other substances before the incident took place.
Aidala contended that Pazienza was not capable of forming the intent to harm Gustern due to her level of intoxication, and therefore the charges were excessive. He mentioned that they were in the process of gathering evidence to support their claim and hoped to have her sentence reduced.
Pazienza's case has stirred debate not only about the legal aspects but also about the perception of privilege. Critics have pointed to her background and upbringing as factors that may have shielded her from consequences in the past. Friends and acquaintances have shared their perspectives, revealing a complex portrait of the accused.
As the case unfolds, questions about fair treatment, racial bias, and the broader context of the incident continue to be subjects of discussion among legal experts and the public alike.