Woman pleads not guilty in Fall River, held on bail on new charges, for alleged role in death of homeless New Bedford man

A Massachusetts woman accused of an assault that led to a New Bedford man’s death was arraigned Thursday in Fall River Superior Court.

31-year-old Nina Busnengo, with a last known address in Mattapoisett, pled not guilty to Manslaughter, Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Unarmed Robbery, and Larceny From a Person.

Busnengo, who was indicted on October 3rd, was held on $20,000 cash bail. A dangerousness hearing scheduled for Thursday was canceled at the request of both parties.

According to Jennifer Sowa of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 3:40 a.m. on August 20th, New Bedford Police received a 911 call for a man with injury at 41 Rockdale Avenue in front of Seabra Foods.  

Upon arrival, first responders located the victim, 58-year-old Stephen Oswald of New Bedford, suffering from an apparent head injury.  He was pronounced deceased by New Bedford EMS Medics at 3:56 a.m.

Court documents show that Busnengo was interviewed by New Bedford Police and admitted to “stomping” on Oswald’s head after she said Oswald took her belongings without her permission.

Oswald was reportedly homeless and well-known in the community.

Busnengo’s next court appearance is a pre-trial conference scheduled for December 18th.