Convicted Murderer Back in Court for Stabbing Incident

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

Thirty-one-year-old Mussay Rezene was back in court on May 7 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, charged with a fatal stabbing incident at the DC Jail.

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

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

On March 22, he was convicted of fatally shooting 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 wounds, including to his head. According to doctors at Washington Hospital Center, the victim suffered a “non-survivable brain injury.”

The incident occurred in the physical therapy room of a DC Jail’s Central Treatment Facility located near the 1900 block of E Street, SE.

Defense attorney Kevin Robertson represented his client for the first time today after Rezene dismissed his former attorney Jonathan Zucker. Robertson stated that the defendant would like Andrew Ain, who has previously served counsel to Rezene, to represent him in trial.

The prosecution opposed the defense request, stating that the defendant was bouncing between attorneys as a delaying tactic.

The next court date is May 21.

Follow this case