2 People Sentenced In Boston Stabbing That Killed Mother Of 3

Justice may finally have been served more than three years after this fatal incident.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Oct 22, 2026 1:46 PM EDT

BOSTON, MA — A woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a 2023 stabbing in the Mass and Cass area that left a 39-year-old woman dead, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

Crystal Morgan, 41, of Boston, pleaded guilty in Suffolk Superior Court on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Judge Christopher Belezos sentenced her to six to eight years in state prison. She is the second person to plead guilty in connection with the death of 39-year-old Kimberly Webb.

The case stems from an altercation that took place Aug. 18, 2023, near Atkinson Street. Prosecutors said Boston police officers working in the area broke up a fight involving Webb, Morgan and Michael Bellanti and sent them in opposite directions.

Evidence reportedly showed Webb walking along Atkinson Street before turning onto Southampton Street and then Topeka Street. Morgan and Bellanti walked in the opposite direction before turning onto South Bay Avenue and then Topeka Street.

Bellanti was seen bending down and retrieving an item from the area of his right sock before approaching Webb, with Morgan following behind. Prosecutors said the two backed Webb toward the opposite side of the street, where Bellanti began slashing and stabbing at her. Morgan prevented Webb from leaving and placed her hands on Webb's arm during the attack.

Webb suffered stab wounds to her right breast, hand and arm. Morgan and Bellanti were seen leaving the area toward Southampton Street.

Boston police said officers responded to Southampton and Atkinson streets at approximately 12:07 a.m. Aug. 19 for a report of a stabbing. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect at that time.

Webb walked toward Atkinson Street after the attack and was transported to a hospital. She died from her injuries Aug. 27, nine days after the stabbing.

Bellanti, 35, of Boston, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Tuesday, Oct. 13. Judge James Budreau sentenced him to 10 to 15 years in state prison. Both Bellanti and Morgan were originally charged with murder before pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Webb was a mother of three and cared for her mother, who used a wheelchair, according to a victim impact statement. Her longtime friend said Webb had also been struggling with the death of her sister and remembered her sense of humor and bright smile.

The friend described Webb as her best friend of more than 31 years, her child's godmother and the closest thing to a sister she had ever had.

"I want the court to understand that Kimberly Webb was so much more than the circumstances of her death," the friend wrote. "She was more than her struggles, more than her grief, and more than any mistakes she may have made. She was not the face of the tragedies of the drug epidemic on Mass and Cass. She was so much more than that."

Hayden thanked the friend for "making sure that Kimberly Webb's tragic death did not obscure her blessings as a mother, godmother and friend."

"This friend provided an important message about Kimberly Webb's life that, even in this sad moment, should give those who knew and loved her lasting memories of the person she was," Hayden said.