On Thursday, a defense attorney representing New York woman Lauren Pazienza argued that she was heavily under the influence of drugs and alcohol when she attacked an 87-year-old singing coach in Manhattan last year.

According to the New York Post, attorney Arthur Aidala argued that Pazienza, identified as the daughter of a lucrative cesspool heir, lacked awareness on the night in question and couldn’t have intentionally killed Barbara Maier Gustern, who died after Pazienza pushed her on March 10, 2022.

Aidala said that before the fatal shove, Pazienza drank wine, and took prescription drugs and marijuana.

“She had had drugs, she had maybe two bottles of wine, and a ton of marijuana [at the time],” he said.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Pazienza called the victim a “b****” before forcibly shoving her, according to a criminal complaint. Before losing consciousness, Gustern told a friend that she had been shoved “as hard as she had ever been hit in her life.”

The incident took place at around 9:30 p.m. as Gustern left her Chelsea residence off West 28th Street. Gustern passed away on March 15, 2022, from injuries sustained during the attack.

Pazienza allegedly had gotten into an argument with her fiancé before the attack and walked away angry when she randomly shoved Gustern. Police said the defendant did not know the victim.

Pazienza, an events organizer, reportedly remained nearby and watched as an ambulance took Gustern to a hospital. She then fled the scene and was later found at her parents’ home in Astoria. She turned herself in with the presence of her attorney.

Aidala argued last year that no evidence exists that Pazienza watched Gustern lying in the street, adding that security footage showing someone watching the scene “could have been anyone,” NBC News reports.

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During court Thursday, Aidala suggested that he and the DA’s Office are negotiating a plea deal. However, he said his defense strategy assumes prosecutors will not provide a “reasonable” offer, which could lead the case to trial, CBS New York reports.

“We have very viable defenses about whether someone in her state was able to possess the intent, the intent to commit crimes,” he said.

“Lauren agrees she needs to be punished and she is being punished. She’s in Rikers Island. I’m not asking for five years. To be clear, I’m not asking for probation.”

Pazienza’s next court date is scheduled for July 20. Check back for updates.

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[Featured image via Instagram/Facebook]