LOWER MERION TWP., Pennsylvania – A jury has delivered a verdict in the murder trial of 70-year-old Renee DiPietro, who was found guilty of third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime in the stabbing death of 31-year-old Michael Sides. The incident stemmed from an altercation involving her son at an Ardmore pub on June 10, 2023.
Authorities revealed that DiPietro used a 16-inch blade concealed in a walking cane to fatally stab the victim. The altercation started after DiPietro’s son allegedly assaulted a friend of Sides at the pub, leading to a heated confrontation.
During the trial, it was disclosed that DiPietro and her husband arrived at the scene after receiving a call from their son. As Sides tried to prevent the son from entering their car, another altercation ensued, culminating in DiPietro stabbing Sides twice with the hidden knife. Despite claiming self-defense, evidence presented in court suggested that DiPietro, her husband, and son did not call for help or assist the victim after the stabbing.
Assistant District Attorney Brianna Ringwood commented on the case, stating, “This defendant injected herself and a 16″ blade into a fistfight, and while she had the right to defend herself and her son, she did not have the right to take the victim’s life. The way she behaved during the fight, and also immediately after the victim fell and was bleeding, demonstrated an indifference to the value of his life.”
Following the jury’s decision, Sides’ family expressed that justice had been served as they left the courtroom. In light of the guilty verdict, DiPietro now faces the repercussions of her actions in this tragic and fatal altercation.