Columbus, Ohio – A 20-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the stabbing death of a 17-year-old girl in Columbus, Ohio. Bryanna Barozzini entered her plea just before opening statements were set to begin in her trial. She faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Barozzini is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.
Originally charged with murder and manslaughter, Barozzini’s murder charge was dropped by prosecutors on Monday morning. By the afternoon, Barozzini reached a plea deal with prosecutors, admitting to the charge of involuntary manslaughter. While her defense attorney is seeking probation, the prosecution is requesting the maximum sentence of three years.
During the court proceedings, prosecutors revealed that Culbertson and Barozzini were engaged in an ongoing feud. On the night of the incident, Culbertson and a few friends were at a smoke shop in northeast Columbus when Barozzini and another man arrived. Culbertson confronted Barozzini and challenged her to a fight. The confrontation escalated outside the store, with Culbertson slapping Barozzini in the face. Barozzini then stabbed Culbertson once in the neck, resulting in her death after being rushed to the hospital.
Police later found the clothes Barozzini was wearing that night in the washing machine at her home in nearby Westerville. The knife used in the stabbing was discovered hidden in a crawl space. Barozzini was subsequently arrested and released on a $750,000 bond.
Barozzini, a graduate of Westerville North High School and a student at Columbus State at the time of the incident, is due to be sentenced on July 11.
Culbertson was described in a GoFundMe campaign as a loving and outgoing person, deeply cared for by her close ones.