Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to First-Degree Murder

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During an Oct. 20 hearing, a murder defendant pleaded not guilty to three counts connected to a murder in 2021.

Mussye Rezene, 29, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of 17-year-old Brayan Villataro at 1300 block of Nicholson Street, NW on Sept. 18, 2021.

During the Thursday hearing, Rezene pleaded not guilty to all three counts of premeditated first-degree murder while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled a status hearing for Jan. 4, 2023.

The prosecution and defense attorney, Jonathan Zucker, set a trial date for Dec. 4, 2023.

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