Argument over Thanksgiving meal preparation results in death of Plymouth County man, authorities say

PLYMOUTH – A man has pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the death of his roommate in Marshfield, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Marshfield Police Chief Phillip Tavares have announced. 

On Friday, 65-year-old Richard Lombardi pleaded not guilty to one count each of Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault and Battery on a Person Over 60 in Plymouth District Court. The Commonwealth moved for a dangerousness hearing that was scheduled for December 4, and Lombardi is currently being held without bail. 

On Wednesday at just after 4:00 p.m., Marshfield Police received a 911 call for a report of an unconscious male on the floor of the kitchen located at 853 Main Street. Police and emergency medical personnel responded and located the victim unconscious and bleeding from the head. He was transported to South Shore Hospital where he died of his injuries. He has been identified as 80-year-old Frank Griswold. 

Marshfield Police contacted the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit Assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and began the investigation. 

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner accepted jurisdiction of the case and will determine exact manner and cause of death. 

Preliminarily, through their investigation, detectives found that Lombardi, Griswold’s long-term roommate, shoved the victim following a disagreement over holiday meal preparations. Griswold subsequently fell to the floor and struck his head, suffered a laceration to his forehead, and a fractured neck. Marshfield Police officers subsequently arrested Lombardi and transported him to the Marshfield Police Department. 

This case is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, and the Marshfield Police Department.