Convicted Murderer Pleads Not Guilty in Prison Stabbing

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Thirty-one-year-old Mussay Rezene was back in court on May 21 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, where he pleaded not guilty to a fatal stabbing incident at the DC Jail.

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

As a result, 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 Sept. 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 alerted the court that Rezene will be pleading not guilty and asserted his constitutional rights, including his right to a speedy trial. The prosecution is currently in the process of collecting evidence in this case.

The next court date is July 31.

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