Mother found guilty of using 16-inch cane blade to kill man in Ardmore, Pennsylvania

LOWER MERION TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A jury reached a verdict in the murder trial of Renee DiPietro, who authorities say stabbed a man to death following an altercation involving her son.

After several hours of deliberating Thursday, DiPietro, 70, was found guilty of third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime.

Authorities say DiPietro used a 16-inch blade hidden in a walking cane to kill the victim, 31-year-old Michael Sides, back on June 10, 2023.

The incident began after authorities say DiPietro's son Jason sucker punched a friend of the victim at an Ardmore pub.

READ MORE: DA: 70-year-old mother used 16-inch cane blade to kill man after altercation with son

Renee DiPietro has been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing death of a man who was trying to confront her son.

The son then reportedly called his mother who came to the bar with her husband.

DiPietro told police when the couple went to the scene, the victim tried to prevent her son from getting into their car, resulting in another altercation.

Investigators say that's when DiPietro stabbed Sides twice with the hidden knife.

Sides was taken to Lankenau Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

DiPietro claimed she was defending her son, but the video played in court showed she, her husband and son did not call 911 or try to help the victim after the stabbing.

"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," said Assistant District Attorney Brianna Ringwood. "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."

As DiPietro was escorted away, she said, "If it was their child what would they do?"

The victim's family said justice was served as they left court Thursday.