Microsoft Teams photo
Wednesday’s virtual court hearing. Clockwise from top left: Defense attn’y Christopher Duby, Judge Harmon, state prosecutor Stacey Miranda, Rashod Newton.
Rashod Newton pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to murdering his girlfriend Alessia Mesquita.
Newton, a 28-year-old Wallingford resident, and his Hamden-based defense attorney Christopher Duby entered that plea in during a brief, virtual state court hearing before state Superior Court Judge Gerald Harmon.
The five-minute hearing took place online via the Microsoft Teams video streaming service.
Newton waived his right to a probable cause hearing and entered a not guilty plea to the felony count of murder that New Haven police have charged him with following the shooting death of Mesquita on March 22 in Fair Haven Heights. Going into Wednesday’s hearing, Newton had already entered not guilty pleas for two other related charges stemming from that incident — one felony count of criminal possession of a firearm, and one felony count of risk of injury to a child.
“You’re waiving [the probable cause hearing] of your own free will?” Judge Harmon asked Newton. “You understand the state would still in this manner have to prove you’re guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?”
“Yes,” Newton replied.
After Harmon waived the probable cause hearing, Newton and Duby entered a not guilty plea to the murder charge. Harmon then set Aug. 25 for the next pre-trial hearing in the case, which now moves towards jury selection in advance of a potential trial.
According to a New Haven arrest warrant affidavit in the case, Newton allegedly shot and killed Mesquita in the middle of Clifton and Lenox Streets, in front of their 1‑year-old child, following a domestic dispute.
That fatal shooting took place over a year after West Haven police first pulled — but never served — a warrant for Newton’s arrest after he allegedly shot and injured a housemate who was trying to break up an argument between Newton and Mesquita.
Mesquita’s mother has spoken up after her daughter’s death about how her daughter’s and Newton’s relationship was clouded by domestic abuse. Mesquita’s killing also brought to public attention a rise in domestic violence during the pandemic.
How I wish Connecticut had the death penalty. That is the only real justice for Alessia. T Also , he child would be better off not having to deal with the man who murdered her mother