File photo
At a July 2021 virtual court hearing in Newton's murder case. Clockwise from top left: Defense attn’y Christopher Duby, Judge Harmon, state prosecutor Stacey Miranda, Rashod Newton.
A state judge sentenced Rashod Newton to 35 years in prison after the 29-year-old New Havener pleaded guilty to murdering his girlfriend, Alessia Mesquita.
State Superior Court Judge Gerald Harmon handed down that three-and-half-decade prison sentence Thursday. The state Division of Criminal Justice sent out an email press release on Friday’s about Newton’s sentencing.
The judge’s order comes nearly two years after Mesquita, a 30-year-old New Havener, was shot and killed in the middle of Clifton and Lenox Streets, in front of her and Newton’s 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.
Newton pleaded guilty late last year to one count of murder and one count of first-degree assault.
Mesquita’s mother spoke up at the time 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.