Homicide Victim’s Brother Among Trial Witnesses

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On Dec. 14, witnesses near the shooting and the victim’s brother testified in a 2021 murder trial in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Mussye Rezene, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for his alleged involvement in the death of 17-year-old Brayan Villatoro on the 1300 block of Nicholson Street, NW.

Prosecutors called a witness who lives near the location of the murder. The witness said she was in her bathroom and heard around five gunshots that night. She said after the shots she looked out of her window and saw three men running away from the scene.

Prosecutors showed a picture of three men who were detained by police near the shooting. The witness was shown the picture of the men, who were Hispanic, and said they were not the men she saw running from the shooting. Police later released the suspects. The witness said she believed the men were black but was not sure.

In cross examination, the witness said she did not see any of the men with a weapon.

Another witness who lived near the shooting also gave testimony. She was startled when she heard between seven and eight gunshots on the night of the murder. She went to her window and saw one person run and get into a dark blue or black sedan. She said she did not know the person’s race or gender.

In cross examination, the witness said she could not see the shooting and was not aware if the person she saw running was armed. She also said she did not know why the person was running.

Prosecutors then called Villatoro’s brother to testify.

The witness was clearly displeased with having to testify, saying, “I’m here because they came to get me.”

According to the brother, the night of the murder was hazy because he had been drinking. He said he had spoken to his brother that day, and had made plans for Villatoro to go to his house to drink. He told the court that his cousin, a witness who testified Dec. 12, called him and told him that the murder had happened.

Prosecutors showed his cell phone records from the night of the murder. The witness said he could not remember many of the phone calls he had made that day due to his drinking..

Prosecutors also brought up the witness’ Instagram records, which showed that an account linked to the witness, had made a video call to an account called “_moosetru”. Moose is an alleged nickname for Rezene. The witness denied that he made these calls.

During cross examination, the witness said he knew of Rezene from the neighborhood but was not friends with him.

Rezene’s defense attorney, Jonathan Zucker, showed a photo of the witness with his brother and various other men. Zucker pointed out a man in the picture holding a wad of cash, which he claimed was the same man who was in a picture with Villatoro when Villatoro was holding a weapon. The witness said he had never seen the man before.

Parties will reconvene Dec. 18.

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