Prosecutors said that anger over a stolen blanket resulted in a woman allegedly stomping a homeless man to death in New Bedford, Massachusetts, SouthCoast TODAY reported.
Nina Busnengo, 31, has been charged with allegedly killing Stephen Oswald, 58, after the two argued about Busnengo’s belongings early Tuesday morning in an area of the city frequented by homeless people, according to SouthCoast TODAY. Police who were called to the scene around 3:40 a.m. found Oswald lying unconscious on a bench, SouthCoast Today reported. (RELATED: Police Charge Group Of Eight Teenage Girls With Murder After They Allegedly Killed Homeless Man)
DA: Anger over stolen blanket led to the bloody homicide of a homeless man in New Bedford https://t.co/6I2yR8OwaY
— SouthCoastToday (@southcoasttoday) August 21, 2024
Assistant District Attorney Michael Scott said there was blood all over the area where first responders found the victim with a severe head injury, according to the newspaper. He was declared dead a short time later.
Scott said that people who were in the area at the time of the alleged homicide told police that Busnengo and Oswald were arguing, SouthCoast TODAY reported. Police were then able to locate Busnengo around 9 a.m.,
Busnengo, whose last known address was seven miles away in Mattapoisett, told police that she usually leaves her belongings at a local car wash, but that when she looked for them Monday evening, they were missing, according SouthCoast TODAY.
After finding Oswald sleeping with her blanket under a metal stairwell nearby, Busnengo said she got angry, the newspaper reported.
According to Scott, she told police that “she kicked him a couple of times in the head and stomped on his head and took her blanket and left,” according to SouthCoast TODAY.
Busnengo allegedly stole Oswald’s phone and tried to call for a ride to get away from the scene, the newspaper reported.
“She did tell police she didn’t try to hurt him. She obviously wasn’t trying to kill anybody, but she did admit to kicking him,” Scott told SouthCoast Today.
Busnengo, who was arraigned Wednesday in New Bedford District Court, faces charges of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon – shod foot, and unarmed robbery, the newspaper reported.