West Virginia Tenant Sentenced After Shaking Scaffolding, Sending Landlord Falling During Dispute Over Loud Music
WEIRTON, WEST VIRGINIA — A 36-year-old tenant has been sentenced to one to five years in prison after prosecutors say he shook a scaffolding in anger, causing his landlord to fall and suffer serious injuries during a heated dispute over loud music and singing.
Authorities said Michael Besozzi II was convicted of unlawful assault after entering an Alford plea in Brooke County Circuit Court, admitting that while he did not confess guilt, he acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him.
Dispute Over Loud Music Escalates to Violence
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, the incident occurred in April 2024 outside a home on Elmer Avenue in Weirton.
Besozzi reportedly confronted his landlord, Mr. Barger, who was playing music and singing while putting up siding on the property. The argument escalated after the landlord allegedly mocked Besozzi by blowing him a kiss, prompting Besozzi to grab and shake the scaffolding where the landlord was standing.
Moments later, the landlord fell to the ground, suffering a separated shoulder and a torn rotator cuff, according to investigators.
“Mr. Besozzi stated that Mr. Barger was outside playing loud music and singing while putting up siding,” the complaint reads. “After telling [him] to keep it down, [the landlord] blew a kiss at Mr. Besozzi.”
Injured Landlord Required Hospital Treatment
Police arrived to find the landlord being treated by EMTs. He later told officers that Besozzi had “started pushing his scaffolding” until it gave way, causing him to fall.
The injuries required hospitalization, and the case was later upgraded from misdemeanor assault to felony malicious or unlawful assault following further investigation.
Alford Plea and Sentencing
In August 2025, Besozzi entered an Alford plea, allowing him to maintain innocence while accepting punishment for the crime. On Saturday, Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirmed that he was sentenced to serve one to five years in state prison.
District Attorney officials said the punishment reflects the seriousness of the assault and serves as a warning against escalating neighbor and landlord-tenant disputes into violence.
Besozzi remains in custody at the Northern Regional Jail pending transfer to state prison. For continued updates on West Virginia court and crime news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.