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Accident – Death – Obituary News :
NORRISTOWN — A 70-year-old woman from Philadelphia has been sentenced to spend a minimum of 20 years in prison for a fatal stabbing incident that took place in Ardmore. Renee DiPietro, a resident of the 500 block of West 67th Street, used a cane-sword with a 16-inch blade to fatally stab Michael Sides, 31, who was unarmed and engaged in a fistfight with her son at the intersection of Cricket Avenue and Cricket Terrace in the Ardmore section of Lower Merion on June 10, 2023.
Renee DiPietro’s Sentencing
Following a trial in January, a jury found DiPietro guilty of third-degree murder and rejected her claims of self-defense and defense of others. Judge Wendy G. Rothstein sentenced DiPietro to 20 to 40 years in the State Correctional Institution at Muncy, the maximum term for the charge, essentially a life sentence for DiPietro.
Judge’s Remarks
Judge Rothstein, addressing DiPietro, referred to video surveillance footage that recorded the altercation. She stated, “The video does not lie. You looked like a cold-blooded killer in that video. You, not Michael Sides, escalated the situation. You stabbed Michael and stood over him and taunted him.”
Family’s Testimony
Barbara MacDonald, Sides’ mother, testified about the devastating impact of her son’s tragic death, stating, “I lost my only child, my best friend. I will never hear his voice. I also died that night. To never talk to him again, brings me to my knees. No more milestones.”
Prosecution’s Argument
Deputy District Attorney Brianna Leigh Ringwood argued for a lengthy prison term, stating, “She displayed a callous disregard for his life without a moment of hesitation. This was not about protection. This was about retribution. This was about violence without a moment of hesitation. His life was cut short because of what this defendant did.”
Defence’s Position
Defense lawyer Louis Busico presented witnesses, including DiPietro’s family members, who described her as loving and nonviolent. They argued that the incident was an accident and that DiPietro acted out of fear to protect her son.
Conclusion
In the end, Renee DiPietro was escorted from the courtroom to begin serving her sentence, still maintaining her innocence and vowing to appeal the conviction. The tragic incident that unfolded on that fateful night in Ardmore has left a lasting impact on all those involved.
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