Man allegedly killed elderly roommate during argument about Thanksgiving food prep
12/02/2024 12:35 pm PST
MARSHFIELD, Mass. (TCN) -- A 65-year-old man was arrested last week for allegedly killing his roommate during an argument because he did not want the victim to sneeze on food he was preparing for Thanksgiving.
According to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 4:05 p.m., Marshfield Police Department officers and paramedics responded to a residence on Main Street regarding an unconscious male on the floor. Medics transported the victim who was bleeding from his head to a local hospital, where he died. The district attorney’s office identified him as 80-year-old Frank Griswold.
Marshfield Police contacted the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit who are assigned to the district attorney’s office, and they took over the investigation.
Detectives believe Richard Lombardi and Griswold, his "long-term roommate," got into a "disagreement over holiday meal preparations." Lombardi allegedly shoved Griswold, who fell, hit his head, cut his forehead, and fractured his neck. Lombardi was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and assault and battery.
Lombardi appeared in court Friday, Nov. 29, and pleaded not guilty.
Court records cited by WCVB-TV allege Lombardi placed food near the sink to cook for Thanksgiving, and he "did not want [Griswold] in the kitchen touching the food" because Griswold "often sneezes." Lombardi reportedly wanted to keep Griswold away so he would not "sneeze or contaminate the food."
Prosecutor Joseph Presley reportedly said in court that Lombardi saw Griswold close to the food, so he "went over and grabbed Mr. Griswold from behind, grabbed his back, and threw Mr. Griswold to the right and tossed him to the side."
Lombardi reportedly "surmised that Frank Griswold’s feet got tangled up, and he fell and hit his head on the floor."
WCVB reports Griswold and Lombardi had been roommates for 20 years and friends for 30.
Lombardi’s attorney argued Griswold’s death was an accident.
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