Text Messages Involving Drugs and Guns Revealed in Homicide Trial

By Sadie Herman [former] - December 20, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Dec. 19, more witness testimony was provided in a murder trial before 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 Sept. 18, 2021, on the 1300 block of Nicholson Street, NW. 

The prosecution called the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) lead detective on this case to testify about records obtained from Rezene and Villatoro’s cell phones. The detective explained that direct messages on Instagram revealed that Rezene had lost his cell phone, and gotten a new number. In direct messages between Rezene and Villatoro, which were shown in open court, the two individuals were speaking about an alleged drug exchange. 

In the exchanges, Rezene asks Villatoro if he has access to any weapons, while Villatoro allegedly asks Rezene about his drug supply.  Rezene also asks Villatoro to swap one large weapon, in exchange for two handguns. 

During cross-examination, Rezene’s defense attorney, Jonathan Zucker, questioned the detective about the night of the murder, and more specifically, the other people in the car with Villatoro that night. 

According to Zucker, there were five other people in the van Villatoro drove the night of the murder. Further, Zucker pointed out that all of these individuals were interviewed by the detective except for one, and during these interviews none said they saw the shooting or anyone exit a suspect vehicle. 

In addition, Zucker pointed out when gunshots went off, the van full of Villatoro’s friends immediately left without checking on him. He explained that instead of taking the fastest route possible, the van followed the suspect vehicle. “Doesn’t that seem unusual to you?” Zucker exclaimed to the detective. “It certainly doesn’t seem like they were fearful of anything”, he insisted. 

Further, Zucker mentioned that in order to leave the area, the individuals in the van would have had to pass and notice “their friend laying dead”. The detective explained that these individuals claimed they hadn’t noticed Villatoro’s body, to which Zucker responded, “Do you believe them?”. 

Also during cross-examination, Zucker argued the DNA recovered could not be confirmed as Rezene’s, and he was excluded from one shell casing as a match. 

Then the prosecution called another MPD officer to explain an interaction he observed outside of the courtroom that occurred the previous week. The detective said while he was in the hallway, he observed a witness waiting to be called by the prosecutors respond with a smile and a nod to a “thumbs up” sign from one of Rezene’s supporters before testifying.

Once on the stand, the witness was uncooperative. 

During cross-examination by Zucker the officer explained he had no knowledge outside of what he observed. Zucker specifically asked, “What were they talking about?” ; “Were they just greeting each other?”; and “Do you know what was meant by the gesture?”

This officer replied that he was unsure.

During the redirect, the prosecution asked why the officer brought the interaction to light? He explained that he did so because of transparency, and he “wanted them to be aware of what was going on.”

Parties are expected to reconvene Dec. 20.