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Inset: Michael Besozzi II (Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney). The home in Weirton, W. Va., where prosecutors say Michael Besozzi caused his landlord to fall off scaffolding following a dispute over loud music (Google Maps).
In West Virginia, a man confronted his landlord over the disruption caused by “loud music” and “singing while installing siding,” leading to a physical altercation where the tenant shook and pushed the scaffolding, resulting in the landlord’s fall and severe injuries, according to prosecutors. The situation escalated when the landlord allegedly “blew a kiss” at the tenant, further aggravating the incident.
Michael Besozzi II, aged 36, received a sentence of one to five years in prison following an incident in April 2024 in Weirton. He entered an Alford plea, as reported by the Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney’s office on Saturday.
According to a criminal complaint accessed by Law&Crime, Besozzi’s landlord sustained a separated shoulder and a torn rotator cuff due to the fall from the scaffolding.
Besozzi faced charges of unlawful assault and, in August, opted for an Alford plea. This plea indicates that while he does not admit guilt, he acknowledges that the prosecution holds sufficient evidence for a likely conviction in court.
The complaint details Besozzi’s grievances, stating, “Mr. Besozzi reported that Mr. Barger, his landlord, was playing loud music and singing while working on siding.” It further notes that Besozzi approached the landlord to request a reduction in noise, leading to the landlord’s provocative gesture of blowing a kiss.
Besozzi told police that he initially went back inside the residence before coming back out to confront the landlord again. “Mr. Besozzi grabbed the scaffolding in a stern manner and yelled, ‘Keep it down,’” according to the complaint. “Mr. Besozzi stated that he did not shake the scaffolding.”
Police spoke to the landlord at the hospital, where he was treated for his injuries, and were told that Besozzi “started pushing his scaffolding and that he fell to the ground,” according to the complaint. Officers responded that Saturday to the home at 245 Elmer Avenue in Weirton and found the landlord being treated by EMTs.
Besozzi was arrested and initially charged with misdemeanor assault. His charge was later upgraded to felony malicious or unlawful assault following a court appearance.
