Crime & Safety

Philly Woman Fatally Stabbed Ardmore Man With 16-Inch Cane Blade: DA

Renee DiPietro, 70, of Philadelphia, is accused of stabbing 31-year-old Michael Sides to death in Ardmore back in June, authorities said.

Renee DiPietro, 70, of Philadelphia, fatally stabbed Michael Sides, 31, of Ardmore, with a 16-inch blade that was hidden in a cane, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.
Renee DiPietro, 70, of Philadelphia, fatally stabbed Michael Sides, 31, of Ardmore, with a 16-inch blade that was hidden in a cane, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said. (Montgomery County District Attorney's Office)

ARDMORE, PA — Murder and related charges have been filed in connection with a deadly stabbing that occurred in Ardmore back in June.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Merion Police Superintendent Michael J. McGrath said Renee DiPietro, 70, of Philadelphia, is charged with third degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and possessing an instrument of crime.

The charges stem from the June 10 fatal stabbing of Michael Sides, 31, of Ardmore, at Cricket Avenue and Cricket Terrace in Ardmore.

Find out what's happening in Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

DiPietro is in custody and being held on 10 percent of $50,000 bail.

According to authorities, Lower Merion Police were called to the area at about 1:30 a.m. for a reported stabbing.

Find out what's happening in Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

There, police found a man, later identified as Sides, on the ground, unresponsive and hemorrhaging from his upper torso.

Sides was transported to Lankenau Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:28 a.m.

An investigation found that a fight occurred earlier that night at a nearby bar.

During the altercation, one of Sides' friends was "sucker punched" by a man, later identified as Jason DiPietro, according to the DA's office.

After the incident, Sides was overheard saying that he was going to "seek out" Jason DiPietro for assaulting his friend, the DA's office said.

Cameras from a local business captured Sides’ death.

On the video, Jason DiPietro was seen trying to get into the backseat of a white Nissan sedan, occupied by his parents Michael DiPietro and Renee DiPietro, according to the DA's office.

Sides stopped him from getting into the vehicle, the DA's office said.

Sides, who was not armed, began fighting with Jason DiPietro.

Video shows Renee DiPietro getting out of the front passenger side of the vehicle, going up to her son and Sides, and joining the fight, according to the DA's office

Renee DiPietro was seen stabbing Sides with a long-edged weapon, which was later determined to be a 16-inch blade sheathed in a cane, the DA's office said.

Sides fell to the ground and Renne DiPietro was seen hitting Sides again while he was on the ground, according to the DA's office.

The DiPietro's get back into the Nissan and drive away from the area, the DA's office said.

Video surveillance footage showed the vehicle’s license plate was bent upwards to obscure the license plate in an attempt to avoid later identification, according to the DA's office.

The DiPietros did not render aid to Sides or call 911, the DA's office said.

An autopsy on Sides' body showed he died of a single stab wound to the chest, and the manner of death was homicide.

Renee DiPietro turned herself in to face charges

She was arraigned Tuesday and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 22.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.