Boston Man Sentenced to 10 to 15 Years for Fatal Stabbing, Officials Say
Michael Bellanti, 35, was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 to 15 years in state prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter for the 2023 fatal stabbing of 39-year-old Kimberly Webb in Boston, the Suffolk district attorney’s office said in a statement.
The Altercation Near Atkinson Street and Mass. and Cass
The fatal confrontation began on the evening of August 18, 2023, in the area of Atkinson Street near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard in Boston’s South End. Boston police officers working in the vicinity broke up an initial altercation involving Webb, Bellanti, and a second suspect, 41-year-old Crystal Morgan, sending the parties in opposite directions.
Evidence showed that Webb walked on Atkinson Street, taking two lefts onto Southampton Street and then Topeka Street. At the same time, Bellanti and Morgan walked in the opposite direction on Atkinson Street, taking two rights onto South Bay Avenue and then Topeka Street.
The Attack on Topeka Street
Surveillance and witness evidence detailed how Bellanti bent down to retrieve an item from his right sock area as the groups maneuvered through the neighborhood. As Webb continued walking down Topeka Street, Bellanti approached her from behind with Morgan following closely.
Bellanti backed Webb up toward the opposite side of the street while Morgan placed her hands on Webb’s arm to prevent her from leaving. During the struggle, Bellanti slashed and stabbed in Webb’s direction, inflicting fatal wounds to her right breast, hand, and arm area.
Following the attack, Bellanti and Morgan fled toward Southampton Street. Webb managed to walk back to the area of Atkinson Street, where emergency responders transported her to a hospital. She subsequently died from her injuries.
Upcoming Trial for the Second Suspect
While Bellanti’s sentencing concludes his case under the plea to manslaughter, legal proceedings continue for the second defendant. Crystal Morgan faces a charge for the fatal stabbing of Webb.
Jury selection for Morgan’s trial is scheduled to begin at Suffolk Superior Court, according to the Suffolk district attorney’s office.