65YO Man Kills ‘Sneezing’ 80YO Roommate For Being ‘Too Close’ To Thanksgiving Food He Was Cooking

[Sugar Cookie]

A man is accused of killing his 80-year-old roommate Wednesday after an argument in the kitchen of their home in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Police allege Richard Lombardi, 65, assaulted his roommate Frank Griswold at their home when he became upset that his roommate was too close to the food he was going to cook for Thanksgiving.

Lombardi was charged with assault and battery on a person 60 and over, causing serious injury, and involuntary manslaughter and pleaded not guilty in Plymouth District Court.

Lombardi told police that he was cooking a meal and "got in an argument with Frank Griswold and that he did not want him in the kitchen touching the food," according to court records.

Lombardi said Griswold "often sneezes," and as the food for Thanksgiving was near the sink, he did not want him to "sneeze or contaminate the food." He said he left the kitchen and later returned to find Griswold near the food.

Lombardi told police he grabbed his roommate from behind and threw him aside and "surmised that Frank Griswold's feet got tangled up, and he fell and hit his head on the floor."

"He did see the victim, Mr. Griswold, near that food doing dishes, said that 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," said prosecutor Joseph Presley.

Lombardi told police that he called 911 when he saw that Griswold was unconscious and bleeding from his head. Court documents show he also had cuts on his face.

"He was seen laying face-up on the floor in the kitchen in a pool of blood," Presley said.

"It sounds like an accident based on what the evidence was that was revealed in court," said Lombardi's attorney, Marshall Johnson.

Johnson said Lombardi and Griswold were friends for about 30 years and roommates for more than 20. The attorney said his client was devastated to learn that Griswold had died.

"He was shocked because nobody had told him that his friend had passed away until I told him this morning," Johnson said.

Man accused of killing 80-year-old roommate in South Shore home

The suspect told police he "grabbed" his roommate and "threw" him when he got too close to the food he was going to cook for Thanksgiving.

www.wcvb.com

I would not be surprised if Lombardi was physically, emotionally and financially abusive to his elderly friend.

 

[Aedia]

I would not be surprised if Lombardi was physically, emotionally and financially abusive to his elderly friend.

That's what popped in my mind as well.
While, in all fairness, we can all get "snappy" and especially during stressful times like when cooking a big Thanksgiving meal....the description is kind of common for that scenario.
People who take advantage of elder or disabled "friends" tend to also somewhat secretly resent and despise them. They are prone to controlling behavior towards the victim and are often very temperamental with them. Ironically, annoyed at the very thing that makes them vulnerable enough to be victimized.
Hopefully, if this is the case, it will come out! I am curious about the cuts on the victims face. That is a little strange. I know the elderly have thin skin that tears easily, but that still doesn't seem right.