Man stabs roommate to death after bloody fight at nursing home in Manhattan – El Diario NY

A 71-year-old man was stabbed by his 70-year-old roommate in Manhattanwho was a retired college basketball referee, his relatives reported.

Identified as Joseph Pescitelli lost his life after his roommate stabbed him during a bloody dispute at a nursing home in Midtown, authorities said.

Officers responded to the Dorothy Ross Friedman residence on W. 57th St. near 10th Ave. at approximately 10:50 p.m. Tuesday for a report of an assault in progress.

When officers arrived at the scene they found the victim stabbed in the back.. A kitchen knife, which is considered to be the murder weapon, was recovered at the scene.

The agents They arrested Michael Pinder and charged him with attempted murder and possession of a weapon.

The suspect claimed he was acting in self-defense. He was released without bail after his arraignment Thursday in Manhattan Criminal Court.

“It’s devastating,” said Jean Fallon Pescitelli, 66, the victim’s ex-wife. “No bail? Oh Lord. I mean, he could go around and do it to someone else. It’s not fair that this guy is walking on the street. It’s just not right. “There is something wrong with society allowing this to happen.”

In addition, He expressed that the death of his ex-partner was hard for his three children, who are still recovering from the death of a brother that occurred two years ago.. Pescitelli was the grandfather of a 15-year-old teenager, a 3-year-old boy, and a 15-year-old baby girl.

The relatives of Pescitelli said he lived in the Friedman center because it housed low-income tenants.. The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence is a residential facility for seniors involved in the performing arts industry, entertainment and people dealing with HIV and AIDS, the company’s website says.

The victim had lived at the site for about five years after living in Westfield, Massachusettswhere he worked as a referee coach and high school history teacher.

Shoulder and knee injuries forced him to retire in 2005.reported Daily News.

One of Pescitelli’s sons, Andrew, 36, said his family members didn’t know much about his roommate.

“Every time I talked to my dad, he said, ‘Oh, I have to be quiet,’” the son said. “From what I gathered, he wasn’t very nice to him.”

He also noted that his father was not a man who would get into fights.

“He never had physical contact with any of us growing up,” Andrew said. “He is always analyzing situations and doing the right thing throughout his life.”

Said The victim’s family is struggling with the death of their father and the release of the alleged killer.

“We just hope that justice takes its course and he goes to jail,” she said. “That’s all.”

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