Convicted murderer back in court for stabbing

By Sofia Feigelson
– May 7, 2024
court | Daily Stories | murders | piercing | Suspicious | Victim |

Mussay Rezene, 31, was back in court May 7 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, charged with a fatal stabbing at the DC Jail.

Rezene was reportedly involved in an altercation with fellow inmate Darrow Johnson, 30, on August 17, 2023. Security footage reportedly shows Rezene acting aggressively toward the victim during the confrontation, with the victim running and attempting to defend himself.

As a result, Mussay Rezene faces two charges of first-degree premeditated murder with weapon force and assault with intent to kill with weapon force.

On March 22, he was found guilty of the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy on September 18, 2021, and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

The stabbing victim died as a result of multiple injuries, including to the head. According to doctors at Washington Hospital Center, the victim suffered a “non-survivable brain injury.”

The incident occurred in the physical therapy room at the central treatment facility of a D.C. prison near the 1900 block of E Street, SE.

Defense attorney Kevin Robertson represented his client for the first time today after Rezene fired his former attorney, Jonathan Zucker. Robertson explained that the defendant wanted Andrew Ain, who previously worked as an attorney for Rezene, to represent him at trial.

The prosecution rejected the defense’s request on the grounds that the defendant was switching back and forth between his lawyers as a delaying tactic.

The next court date is May 21st.

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