A Marshfield man charged with manslaughter after a kitchen argument led to the death of his roommate

A Marshfield man faces manslaughter charges after an argument in his kitchen Wednesday that allegedly led to the death of his 80-year-old roommate.

Court records show that Richard Lombardi, 65, appeared in Plymouth District Court on Friday. In addition to the manslaughter charge, he is also facing assault and battery charges against an elderly person and a disabled person with serious injuries.

Lombardi pleaded not guilty. Public defender appointed to represent his He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Court records show emergency personnel responded to 853 Main St. in Marshfield on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. They found Frank Griswold, 80, lying face up and bleeding from the head. prosecutors said. Griswold was taken to South Shore Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Court records show that Lombardi told police that earlier in the day he had cooked dinner for his roommate and prepared a fried turkey for Thanksgiving. He said he told Griswold not to wash the dishes after a meal, fearing that his roommate’s chronic sneezing would contaminate a turkey that was sitting nearby. prosecutors said.

Court records show that after leaving the kitchen, Lombardi said he returned and found Griswold washing dishes near the turkey. Lombardi told police he grabbed his roommate from behind and pushed him aside; Griswold’s feet allegedly became “tangled” and he fell to the floor and hit his head. When Lombardi saw his roommate unresponsive and bleeding from the head, he called 911.

Court records show that preliminary results of a state autopsy showed the primary cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Massachusetts State Police deferred comment to the Plymouth District Attorney’s Office, calling the case an “active, ongoing investigation.”

Lombardi and Griswold had known each other since the early 1990s, when they worked together at Charles River Management, and had been roommates since 2001, according to court records. The owner of the apartment told police that he never observed any arguments or arguments between the couple.

Court records show Griswold was previously chief investment officer at John Hancock and senior vice president at Boston Safe Deposit and Trust.

Lombardi told police that although he was not Griswold’s caregiver, he helped his roommate with cooking dinner, bills and paperwork. He added that they had had a few beers together at home the night before.

Court records show Lombardi was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. His next court hearing is on December 4.

Camilo Fonseca can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports.