Second person pleads guilty in 2023 stabbing of 39-year-old woman
BOSTON, October 14, 2026 – A second person charged with the fatal 2023 stabbing of a 39-year-old woman in the Mass and Cass area of Boston pleaded guilty to manslaughter today, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
CRYSTAL MORGAN, 41, of Boston, pleaded guilty in Suffolk Superior Court to the fatal stabbing of Kimberly Webb, 39, on August 18, 2023. Judge Christopher Belezos sentenced Morgan to six to eight years in state prison.
On Tuesday, MICHAEL BELLANTI, 35, of Boston pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Webb stabbing death. Judge James Budreau sentenced Bellanti to 10-15 years in state prison.
On the evening of August 18, 2023, an altercation began between Webb, Morgan and Bellanti in the area of Atkinson Street. Boston police working in the area broke up the altercation and sent the parties in opposite directions. Evidence shows Webb walking on Atkinson Street, taking a left onto Southampton Street and a left on Topeka Street. Morgan and Bellanti are seen walking in the opposite direction on Atkinson Street and taking a right onto South Bay Avenue and a right onto Topeka Street.
Bellanti is seen bending down and retrieving an item from his right sock area. As Webb continues to walk down Topeka Street, Bellanti approaches her with Morgan following behind. Bellanti begins to back Webb up toward the opposite side of the street with the help of Morgan. Bellanti begins slashing and stabbing in the direction of Webb, during this time, Morgan prevents Webb from leaving and put her hands on Webb's arm. Bellanti stabs Webb through her right breast, hand and arm area. Both Bellanti and Morgan are seen leaving the area toward Southampton Street.
Webb died from her injuries on August 27, 2023.
Webb’s friend submitted a heartfelt statement to the court describing Kim, a mother of three, as her best friend for over 31 years, the godmother to her child and the closest thing to a sister she’s ever had.
Part of her statement read: “I want the court to understand that Kimberly Webb was so much more than the circumstances of her death. 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.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications