1 00:00:06,103 --> 00:00:08,172 Hey! 2 00:00:10,310 --> 00:00:11,896 Alessia was my best friend, 3 00:00:11,965 --> 00:00:15,482 my go-to person for everything. 4 00:00:15,482 --> 00:00:19,068 She was always positive, goofing around about everything. 5 00:00:19,068 --> 00:00:21,655 I remember her being a very happy mother. 6 00:00:22,586 --> 00:00:25,068 SANDY: Alessia was taught kindness. 7 00:00:27,931 --> 00:00:30,379 I came to learn that Rashod was not 8 00:00:30,379 --> 00:00:33,034 the same person that she was. 9 00:00:35,689 --> 00:00:38,896 AYALA: I think Rashod was jealous of any attention 10 00:00:38,896 --> 00:00:40,275 Alessia give to anybody. 11 00:00:40,344 --> 00:00:42,896 He just wanted her all to himself. 12 00:00:42,896 --> 00:00:46,275 I told Alessia, "You gotta stay away from him. 13 00:00:46,275 --> 00:00:50,793 Something's not right with this boy. He's crazy as hell." 14 00:00:50,793 --> 00:00:53,275 CORDERO: You don't know what this person's capable of. 15 00:00:53,275 --> 00:00:55,172 You have to expect the worst. 16 00:00:55,241 --> 00:00:57,793 [four gunshots blast] 17 00:00:57,793 --> 00:01:02,758 [theme music playing] 18 00:01:16,931 --> 00:01:20,689 NARRATOR: 24-year-old Alessia Mesquita, her son, Joe, 19 00:01:20,689 --> 00:01:22,689 and her best friend, Liz Ayala, 20 00:01:22,758 --> 00:01:25,068 are on holiday in Puerto Rico. 21 00:01:25,137 --> 00:01:26,482 AYALA: It was a big resort. 22 00:01:26,482 --> 00:01:28,379 They had their own private beach. 23 00:01:28,379 --> 00:01:31,068 Our main thing was just hanging out at 24 00:01:31,068 --> 00:01:33,551 the pool and going out to eat. 25 00:01:35,275 --> 00:01:37,172 It was just a great time. 26 00:01:40,310 --> 00:01:42,689 So it was me, Alessia, and baby Joe in 27 00:01:42,689 --> 00:01:44,689 the hotel room. 28 00:01:48,586 --> 00:01:52,172 Alessia was really relaxed on that vacation. 29 00:01:52,172 --> 00:01:57,378 It kind of eased her mind from what she was going through 30 00:01:57,448 --> 00:01:59,896 at home. 31 00:01:59,965 --> 00:02:02,344 It was just a break from reality. 32 00:02:09,793 --> 00:02:14,068 NARRATOR: Alessia was born on June 20th, 1992, in New Haven, 33 00:02:14,068 --> 00:02:17,758 Connecticut, to parents Sandy and George Mesquita. 34 00:02:19,275 --> 00:02:22,000 My son was probably three or four at the time. 35 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:25,896 He was, like, in love with his little sister, 36 00:02:25,965 --> 00:02:28,896 and it was just a very beautiful time 37 00:02:28,965 --> 00:02:30,103 in my life. 38 00:02:30,103 --> 00:02:32,172 She loved school. 39 00:02:32,172 --> 00:02:36,896 She would come home, start her homework right away. 40 00:02:36,896 --> 00:02:40,793 She always wanted to strive for the A. 41 00:02:40,862 --> 00:02:42,896 NARRATOR: During her freshman year 42 00:02:42,965 --> 00:02:44,275 at Wilbur Cross High School, 43 00:02:44,275 --> 00:02:46,965 Alessia meets her best friend, Liz. 44 00:02:48,793 --> 00:02:51,586 Alessia was very outgoing. 45 00:02:51,655 --> 00:02:55,103 Her personality just rocked, like she's goofy. 46 00:02:55,103 --> 00:02:57,896 I think that was one thing that me and her had, like, really 47 00:02:57,896 --> 00:03:00,482 in common -- we just bonded. 48 00:03:03,068 --> 00:03:04,275 NARRATOR: In 2010, 49 00:03:04,275 --> 00:03:08,068 Alessia starts dating fellow student, Joseph Martinez. 50 00:03:08,068 --> 00:03:10,586 MARTINEZ: Me and Alessia started off as friends. 51 00:03:10,586 --> 00:03:12,896 We were just in school together all 52 00:03:12,896 --> 00:03:15,000 the time, helping each other, and then it came to 53 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,793 a point where we just started dating. 54 00:03:17,793 --> 00:03:20,689 Alessia was a very loving woman. 55 00:03:20,758 --> 00:03:22,482 We just figured one day, why not? 56 00:03:22,482 --> 00:03:25,448 We'd just get married and just be with each other forever. 57 00:03:26,827 --> 00:03:29,000 NARRATOR: In February 2012, 58 00:03:29,034 --> 00:03:32,896 19-year-olds Joseph and Alessia tie the knot. 59 00:03:32,896 --> 00:03:36,172 MARTINEZ: We actually went to City Hall and did 60 00:03:36,172 --> 00:03:37,586 a little ceremony together. 61 00:03:37,586 --> 00:03:39,379 We were just a happy little couple, 62 00:03:39,379 --> 00:03:41,586 just went out, had a good dinner, 63 00:03:41,586 --> 00:03:43,965 and just enjoyed each other. 64 00:03:47,827 --> 00:03:51,275 NARRATOR: Eleven months later, in January 2013, 65 00:03:51,275 --> 00:03:54,482 Alessia gives birth to a son, Joe. 66 00:03:55,724 --> 00:03:57,793 It was a very happy time. 67 00:03:57,793 --> 00:04:00,000 Alessia was glowing. 68 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:03,275 MARTINEZ: It was just a life-changing thing. 69 00:04:03,344 --> 00:04:05,896 It was just I wanted to do everything better in life 70 00:04:05,896 --> 00:04:08,965 for him, and especially for her. 71 00:04:10,517 --> 00:04:14,586 Joe was looking into getting better employment, which he did. 72 00:04:14,586 --> 00:04:18,274 He ended up getting a job at the hospital, and Alessia was 73 00:04:18,274 --> 00:04:20,172 pretty much a stay-at-home mom. 74 00:04:20,241 --> 00:04:23,000 She was a great mom. 75 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:26,000 She did everything for him. 76 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:29,172 This clip... 77 00:04:30,379 --> 00:04:31,793 they're sharing a Twizzler. 78 00:04:31,793 --> 00:04:35,379 [Joe laughing] 79 00:04:35,448 --> 00:04:37,793 They would always do these silly things like that. 80 00:04:37,862 --> 00:04:40,758 [Joe laughing] 81 00:04:44,206 --> 00:04:47,896 NARRATOR: Despite being a mom, Alessia continues to spend time 82 00:04:47,965 --> 00:04:50,068 with her friends. 83 00:04:50,068 --> 00:04:52,379 As a mom, sometimes you need 84 00:04:52,448 --> 00:04:53,482 time away from your kids. 85 00:04:53,482 --> 00:04:56,896 So when me and Alessia hung out 86 00:04:56,896 --> 00:04:59,379 to kind of, like, destress ourselves, 87 00:04:59,379 --> 00:05:01,586 we used to go on trips. 88 00:05:10,620 --> 00:05:14,275 We were in New York at that time for my cousin's birthday, 89 00:05:14,275 --> 00:05:17,379 and Alessia took my phone, 90 00:05:17,448 --> 00:05:19,793 and she just decided to record us. 91 00:05:19,793 --> 00:05:24,586 We were just being silly on our way back to the car. 92 00:05:24,586 --> 00:05:25,896 [singing indistinctly] 93 00:05:25,896 --> 00:05:27,896 AYALA: We just had a blast that day. 94 00:05:32,896 --> 00:05:35,482 NARRATOR: But back in New Haven, the pressure of being 95 00:05:35,482 --> 00:05:39,068 young parents puts a strain on Alessia and Joe's relationship. 96 00:05:39,068 --> 00:05:41,586 AYALA: After we went on our trip, 97 00:05:41,586 --> 00:05:45,172 Alessia and Big Joe's marriage was falling apart. 98 00:05:46,517 --> 00:05:49,586 I think she was mainly stressed about having baby Joe all 99 00:05:49,586 --> 00:05:51,896 the time, and she didn't have, like, a break. 100 00:05:54,793 --> 00:05:56,896 Things were just not working out. 101 00:05:58,310 --> 00:06:02,172 I think Alessia was headed more in another direction, 102 00:06:02,172 --> 00:06:05,275 where she wanted more from her life. 103 00:06:06,310 --> 00:06:09,379 Me and Alessia got married at an early age. 104 00:06:09,448 --> 00:06:12,034 We grew out of it in a way. 105 00:06:13,275 --> 00:06:14,896 I don't want to say that it was fine. 106 00:06:14,896 --> 00:06:19,482 I put my feelings aside for my son and just being there 107 00:06:19,551 --> 00:06:21,172 for him. 108 00:06:21,172 --> 00:06:25,172 NARRATOR: In June 2018, Alessia and Joseph separate. 109 00:06:25,172 --> 00:06:28,241 Alessia and little Joe move in with Liz. 110 00:06:30,517 --> 00:06:33,275 She and baby Joe were like 111 00:06:33,275 --> 00:06:36,241 the light in my life around that time. 112 00:06:38,103 --> 00:06:42,379 Alessia was cooking, so I was recording her. 113 00:06:42,448 --> 00:06:45,172 We just always had a blast. 114 00:06:45,241 --> 00:06:47,379 It was -- we didn't have to do anything 115 00:06:47,379 --> 00:06:51,689 extraordinary to have fun, like singing in the kitchen, 116 00:06:51,689 --> 00:06:54,379 old Spanish songs, and just hanging out. 117 00:06:57,275 --> 00:06:59,896 NARRATOR: Alessia continues to co-parent little Joe 118 00:06:59,896 --> 00:07:02,793 with her ex-husband, Joseph, 119 00:07:02,862 --> 00:07:05,482 while settling into her own life. 120 00:07:05,482 --> 00:07:07,482 Alessia was excited. 121 00:07:07,482 --> 00:07:10,275 I think she felt more like herself again. 122 00:07:10,275 --> 00:07:14,068 She did start dating again, and she seemed like she was 123 00:07:14,068 --> 00:07:15,862 really happy. 124 00:07:20,068 --> 00:07:23,172 NARRATOR: In November 2018, Alessia moves into 125 00:07:23,172 --> 00:07:26,793 a house in West Haven with two friends to have more room 126 00:07:26,793 --> 00:07:28,896 for herself and little Joe. 127 00:07:32,310 --> 00:07:35,275 She also secures a new job as a medical assistant at 128 00:07:35,344 --> 00:07:36,965 an urgent care center. 129 00:07:39,724 --> 00:07:40,965 AYALA: Alessia loved her job. 130 00:07:42,206 --> 00:07:44,379 She loved patients, she loved helping people. 131 00:07:45,724 --> 00:07:47,689 She wanted to move up in her career. 132 00:07:50,793 --> 00:07:54,482 NARRATOR: In January 2019, the whole family comes together 133 00:07:54,551 --> 00:07:56,862 to celebrate little Joe's sixth birthday. 134 00:07:57,827 --> 00:07:58,896 Whoo! 135 00:07:58,965 --> 00:08:02,896 [all singing] 136 00:08:02,896 --> 00:08:05,482 Me and Alessia did a birthday party for him, 137 00:08:05,482 --> 00:08:07,000 and it was very big. 138 00:08:07,034 --> 00:08:09,793 All our families came -- we couldn't wait to blow 139 00:08:09,793 --> 00:08:13,655 the candle off the cake and sing "Happy Birthday." 140 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:18,689 I felt like when we were together, 141 00:08:18,689 --> 00:08:21,172 he would be extra happy, because, you know, 142 00:08:21,241 --> 00:08:23,000 he wants both his parents together. 143 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,068 [cheering] 144 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,688 NARRATOR: But Alessia has been seeing someone new. 145 00:08:34,172 --> 00:08:35,482 AYALA: She was just like, "This kid 146 00:08:35,482 --> 00:08:37,275 "I used to have a crush on in elementary school 147 00:08:37,344 --> 00:08:40,000 came back around," and she's starting to see him, 148 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,448 and she seemed pretty happy. 149 00:08:44,068 --> 00:08:45,793 SANDY: His name was Rashod Newton. 150 00:08:45,862 --> 00:08:50,172 He was a painter for his uncle's company. 151 00:08:53,689 --> 00:08:55,689 Alessia is recording him, and they have, like, 152 00:08:55,758 --> 00:08:56,896 a filter voice. 153 00:08:56,896 --> 00:08:59,275 [Alessia speaking] 154 00:08:59,275 --> 00:09:01,793 [Rashod speaking] 155 00:09:01,793 --> 00:09:02,896 [Alessia speaking] 156 00:09:02,965 --> 00:09:04,793 SANDY: Looks like they're enjoying themselves 157 00:09:04,793 --> 00:09:08,689 as being a couple, both of them being silly. 158 00:09:08,758 --> 00:09:10,482 [Rashod speaking] 159 00:09:10,551 --> 00:09:12,275 [Alessia speaking] 160 00:09:12,344 --> 00:09:13,896 [Rashod speaking] 161 00:09:16,689 --> 00:09:18,793 NARRATOR: Eight months into their relationship, 162 00:09:18,793 --> 00:09:21,000 Alessia finds out she is pregnant. 163 00:09:22,689 --> 00:09:25,586 SANDY: Alessia had one of her sonograms, and she sent it to me. 164 00:09:25,655 --> 00:09:26,793 She was all excited. 165 00:09:26,793 --> 00:09:28,482 She's like, "Look, look!" 166 00:09:28,551 --> 00:09:31,896 And I jokingly said, "What is it?" 167 00:09:33,172 --> 00:09:36,103 I didn't think Alessia wanted to have any more kids 168 00:09:36,103 --> 00:09:37,275 anytime soon. 169 00:09:37,275 --> 00:09:41,586 But I think that it was a pleasant surprise for her, 170 00:09:41,586 --> 00:09:43,862 and she took it in stride. 171 00:09:48,896 --> 00:09:51,793 NARRATOR: Sandy is eager to know her daughter's new boyfriend 172 00:09:51,793 --> 00:09:53,758 and invites the couple out for dinner. 173 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:56,689 SANDY: He was very touchy. 174 00:09:56,689 --> 00:10:00,586 He had his hand around her, hold her hand, 175 00:10:00,586 --> 00:10:05,172 and just appeared to be very loving to her. 176 00:10:06,896 --> 00:10:09,068 They were from two different worlds. 177 00:10:10,379 --> 00:10:13,793 It was something new, something fun, 178 00:10:13,862 --> 00:10:15,241 something exciting. 179 00:10:16,482 --> 00:10:18,275 And then I said, "Well, you know 180 00:10:18,275 --> 00:10:20,068 what are we gonna do?" 181 00:10:20,137 --> 00:10:21,172 Because, you know... 182 00:10:21,241 --> 00:10:24,068 another baby being brought in the world. 183 00:10:25,206 --> 00:10:28,172 He goes, "Oh, I'm -- I'm here for her. 184 00:10:28,172 --> 00:10:29,862 I'm gonna help her out." 185 00:10:31,172 --> 00:10:33,793 And I looked at him, and I said, "Are you sure?" 186 00:10:34,896 --> 00:10:36,379 And he goes, "Yeah," he goes, "I'm -- 187 00:10:36,379 --> 00:10:38,000 I'm gonna be there for her." 188 00:10:40,482 --> 00:10:42,068 NARRATOR: Despite this new chapter 189 00:10:42,137 --> 00:10:45,965 starting in Alessia's life, friend Liz is concerned. 190 00:10:47,172 --> 00:10:50,172 When Alessia got pregnant with Rashod, 191 00:10:50,172 --> 00:10:53,379 I didn't see much of her at all, and we would text here 192 00:10:53,379 --> 00:10:55,689 and there, and she would tell me that she misses me. 193 00:10:55,689 --> 00:10:58,793 But when it came down to actually being together, 194 00:10:58,793 --> 00:11:01,034 I think Rashod was a little strict. 195 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:05,379 I think Rashod was jealous of any attention 196 00:11:05,379 --> 00:11:06,758 Alessia give to anybody. 197 00:11:07,896 --> 00:11:11,482 [Joe giggling] 198 00:11:11,482 --> 00:11:16,068 Alessia told me that Rashod wasn't too fond of baby Joe. 199 00:11:17,793 --> 00:11:21,275 I think he wanted her to kind of, like, X baby Joe out, 200 00:11:21,275 --> 00:11:24,068 and baby Joe was, like, the center of Alessia's world. 201 00:11:25,724 --> 00:11:27,448 That was a big flag for me. 202 00:11:40,965 --> 00:11:42,758 NARRATOR: In October 2019, 203 00:11:42,758 --> 00:11:46,172 Alessia's family throws her a gender reveal party. 204 00:11:47,965 --> 00:11:51,344 The gender reveal was kind of like a Halloween theme. 205 00:11:51,344 --> 00:11:54,241 They had it in October where they used the pumpkin 206 00:11:54,310 --> 00:11:57,655 to kind of bring in the gender reveal. 207 00:12:00,793 --> 00:12:02,896 SANDY: She was happy she was having a baby girl. 208 00:12:02,896 --> 00:12:07,448 She just wanted to do so much and buy baby stuff. 209 00:12:07,517 --> 00:12:09,655 Rashod was definitely there. 210 00:12:11,379 --> 00:12:14,000 He wasn't really interacting with other people. 211 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,551 I know that Alessia used to tell me that she has 212 00:12:16,551 --> 00:12:17,896 a hard time taking him anywhere, 213 00:12:17,896 --> 00:12:19,862 because he doesn't talk to anybody. 214 00:12:19,931 --> 00:12:23,862 So she tries not to really take him anywhere, and then when... 215 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,965 she tries to go somewhere, he always gives her, like, 216 00:12:26,965 --> 00:12:29,241 a hard time, like, "Why are you going?" 217 00:12:30,137 --> 00:12:32,758 He ousted her from a lot of her friends. 218 00:12:35,068 --> 00:12:37,448 NARRATOR: Alessia's son, Joe, is happy about 219 00:12:37,448 --> 00:12:38,758 becoming a big brother. 220 00:12:38,758 --> 00:12:42,862 Alessia was recording of him rubbing on her belly 221 00:12:42,931 --> 00:12:44,241 when she was pregnant. 222 00:12:44,241 --> 00:12:46,862 [Alessia speaking] 223 00:12:50,034 --> 00:12:53,172 He would always ask, "When is she coming out?" 224 00:12:53,172 --> 00:12:56,551 And I would say, "Joe, they come when they want," 225 00:12:56,620 --> 00:12:59,862 and he goes, "But I'm ready to see the baby." 226 00:12:59,931 --> 00:13:02,862 He was excited. That was for sure. 227 00:13:13,896 --> 00:13:16,655 I invited Alessia over for a pool day. 228 00:13:16,655 --> 00:13:19,758 [indistinct conversations] 229 00:13:22,172 --> 00:13:25,206 And she asked if Rashod could come. 230 00:13:26,586 --> 00:13:27,655 I said sure, you know, 231 00:13:27,655 --> 00:13:29,551 she seemed pretty happy about him. 232 00:13:31,103 --> 00:13:35,793 But the day of the pool, I kind of, like, felt 233 00:13:35,793 --> 00:13:37,000 Rashod's energy. 234 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,068 -[laughter] -Whoo! 235 00:13:42,586 --> 00:13:43,758 [indistinct exclamation] 236 00:13:43,758 --> 00:13:46,862 She wanted to get in the pool, and he wasn't really 237 00:13:46,931 --> 00:13:49,586 psyched about it. 238 00:13:49,586 --> 00:13:51,448 He wanted her to sit right next to him. 239 00:13:52,482 --> 00:13:54,793 He was, like, jealous and controlling. 240 00:13:54,793 --> 00:13:58,103 He just wanted her all to himself. 241 00:14:00,241 --> 00:14:03,862 Alessia is a person that just sees 242 00:14:03,931 --> 00:14:05,103 the good in everybody. 243 00:14:06,482 --> 00:14:08,862 Maybe she seen something good in him 244 00:14:08,931 --> 00:14:10,655 that nobody else could see. 245 00:14:12,896 --> 00:14:15,344 I never understood, to be honest. 246 00:14:19,137 --> 00:14:21,137 SANDY: One day, we were out and about. 247 00:14:21,137 --> 00:14:25,448 It was me and the kids and, um, my kids' dad. 248 00:14:26,448 --> 00:14:29,655 My daughter, Sasha, text me, and she said, 249 00:14:29,655 --> 00:14:30,931 "Can you come home?" 250 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:33,241 And I said, "What's wrong?" 251 00:14:33,310 --> 00:14:35,448 And she actually called me, and she says, 252 00:14:35,448 --> 00:14:38,517 "Rashod and Alessia, 253 00:14:39,689 --> 00:14:41,034 "they're arguing in the room. 254 00:14:41,034 --> 00:14:45,000 "He's yelling at her, she's yelling at him, 255 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,448 and I'm scared." 256 00:14:47,551 --> 00:14:50,896 When we got there, and I opened the door, and I was like, 257 00:14:50,896 --> 00:14:52,103 "What's going on here?" 258 00:14:52,103 --> 00:14:55,103 And he, like, looked at me, and he was saying, 259 00:14:55,103 --> 00:14:57,896 "Your daughter always wants to argue with me about stuff." 260 00:14:57,896 --> 00:15:01,068 And she said, "Oh, he thinks I'm stupid, 261 00:15:01,068 --> 00:15:03,551 "because I went through his phone, 262 00:15:03,620 --> 00:15:06,724 and I know that he's talking to other girls." 263 00:15:08,551 --> 00:15:11,344 So he ultimately apologized and said, "I'm sorry." 264 00:15:12,689 --> 00:15:16,241 But that was definitely, like, the first eye-opener that I saw 265 00:15:16,310 --> 00:15:17,931 when they were -- were arguing. 266 00:15:21,689 --> 00:15:23,965 NARRATOR: Alessia is still living with two friends, 267 00:15:23,965 --> 00:15:26,034 a couple, upstairs in their loft. 268 00:15:26,034 --> 00:15:30,551 SANDY: One night, I got a text from her, and I had to 269 00:15:30,551 --> 00:15:32,379 do, like, a double-take on the phone. 270 00:15:32,379 --> 00:15:34,482 I was like, "What? What did you say?" 271 00:15:34,482 --> 00:15:38,551 She said, "Rashod shot my roommate." 272 00:15:41,172 --> 00:15:42,965 My heart just dropped. 273 00:15:44,758 --> 00:15:47,275 I said to Alessia, "Where are you?" 274 00:15:47,275 --> 00:15:50,379 And she said, "I'm in the car. 275 00:15:50,379 --> 00:15:53,448 He made me leave with him." 276 00:15:54,551 --> 00:15:58,344 And I said to her, "Put on your GPS. 277 00:15:58,413 --> 00:16:00,068 I need to track you." 278 00:16:01,482 --> 00:16:02,862 She said, "Oh, my God, 279 00:16:02,862 --> 00:16:05,241 if he finds out," she goes, "he's gonna be upset." 280 00:16:05,241 --> 00:16:07,275 So I got in my car. 281 00:16:07,275 --> 00:16:10,862 It was me and my son, her brother, and we tracked her. 282 00:16:12,275 --> 00:16:14,586 NARRATOR: Alessia escapes from Rashod's car 283 00:16:14,586 --> 00:16:16,655 at a local gas station, where Sandy 284 00:16:16,724 --> 00:16:17,896 and her son retrieve her. 285 00:16:17,896 --> 00:16:20,241 She was very shooken up. 286 00:16:20,241 --> 00:16:23,103 She was crying, and she was shaking. 287 00:16:24,448 --> 00:16:27,448 NARRATOR: West Haven PD interviews Alessia's 288 00:16:27,448 --> 00:16:30,551 injured housemate as he is released from hospital. 289 00:17:01,379 --> 00:17:02,827 Whatevers. 290 00:17:04,482 --> 00:17:06,310 [gunshot blasts] 291 00:17:16,689 --> 00:17:19,344 NARRATOR: West Haven police issue an arrest warrant for 292 00:17:19,344 --> 00:17:20,862 Rashod Newton. 293 00:17:22,378 --> 00:17:24,378 [door creaks] 294 00:17:24,378 --> 00:17:27,103 The next day, Alessia films the aftermath of 295 00:17:27,103 --> 00:17:29,758 the shooting at the house with her mom, Sandy. 296 00:17:32,793 --> 00:17:36,000 SANDY: I told Alessia, "You gotta stay away from him." 297 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,758 Something's not right with this boy. 298 00:17:38,827 --> 00:17:41,068 He's as crazy as hell. 299 00:17:46,275 --> 00:17:48,172 NARRATOR: As Rashod hides from the police, 300 00:17:48,172 --> 00:17:51,172 Alessia is torn about her future with him. 301 00:17:52,551 --> 00:17:54,655 SANDY: She said, "Mom, I just feel bad for him. 302 00:17:54,655 --> 00:17:57,241 "I really don't know what to do right now. 303 00:17:57,310 --> 00:18:00,344 "I just wanna just have the baby and then, you know, 304 00:18:00,344 --> 00:18:01,758 go from there." 305 00:18:03,172 --> 00:18:06,172 NARRATOR: On February 17th, 2020, 306 00:18:06,172 --> 00:18:08,758 Alessia gives birth to their daughter, Alaia, 307 00:18:08,827 --> 00:18:11,344 nicknamed LayLay. 308 00:18:11,413 --> 00:18:14,344 As her mom and being a grandmother, 309 00:18:14,413 --> 00:18:15,689 I was very excited. 310 00:18:15,689 --> 00:18:18,965 So I did go visit Alessia later on that evening at the hospital. 311 00:18:20,448 --> 00:18:23,482 NARRATOR: Rashod comes out of hiding to visit his new daughter 312 00:18:23,482 --> 00:18:24,931 at the hospital. 313 00:18:26,862 --> 00:18:31,172 Rashod was there, and I congratulated him, as well. 314 00:18:31,172 --> 00:18:33,758 He seemed to be very excited. 315 00:18:33,758 --> 00:18:36,344 He had the baby in his hands. 316 00:18:36,344 --> 00:18:38,103 He was holding her. 317 00:18:45,172 --> 00:18:47,344 This is when LayLay was a baby baby, 318 00:18:47,344 --> 00:18:49,068 and Rashod is holding her. 319 00:18:51,379 --> 00:18:55,241 He's playing with her, and looking at her, and Alessia 320 00:18:55,241 --> 00:18:57,965 is in the background, enjoying the fact that Rashod 321 00:18:58,000 --> 00:18:59,862 is being a dad to the baby. 322 00:18:59,931 --> 00:19:01,482 [makes indistinct noise] 323 00:19:01,482 --> 00:19:05,896 I felt maybe that this could be a new start for both of them in 324 00:19:05,896 --> 00:19:07,448 a positive direction. 325 00:19:10,586 --> 00:19:13,758 But Rashod's behavior was just not any better. 326 00:19:14,793 --> 00:19:15,965 I was scared. 327 00:19:32,689 --> 00:19:34,034 NARRATOR: With the arrest warrant 328 00:19:34,034 --> 00:19:35,965 of West Haven PD still looming, 329 00:19:35,965 --> 00:19:39,758 Rashod goes back into hiding with Alessia and the baby. 330 00:19:39,758 --> 00:19:43,137 Meanwhile, the COVID pandemic puts 331 00:19:43,137 --> 00:19:44,689 an end to Alessia's job. 332 00:19:44,689 --> 00:19:46,655 Alessia was a medical assistant in 333 00:19:46,655 --> 00:19:50,034 a medical facility, and they were closing now, 334 00:19:50,034 --> 00:19:54,172 and financially, she struggled a little bit. 335 00:19:54,172 --> 00:19:57,655 So Rashod, I've never seen him 336 00:19:57,655 --> 00:20:00,034 physically work a job. 337 00:20:00,034 --> 00:20:03,172 I think Alessia was the big supporter of the family. 338 00:20:03,172 --> 00:20:06,137 I don't recall him ever... 339 00:20:06,137 --> 00:20:07,655 paying for anything. 340 00:20:08,896 --> 00:20:10,758 Alessia was really stressed around that time. 341 00:20:10,827 --> 00:20:14,482 She was so skinny, she was pale, 342 00:20:14,482 --> 00:20:16,448 she looked so tired. 343 00:20:19,655 --> 00:20:21,758 -NARRATOR: Alessia focuses all -A. 344 00:20:21,827 --> 00:20:23,827 of her energy into bringing up her kids. 345 00:20:29,103 --> 00:20:31,275 NARRATOR: But Rashod becomes envious. 346 00:20:31,275 --> 00:20:34,862 AYALA: Rashod was jealous of Alaia. 347 00:20:34,862 --> 00:20:38,379 She felt like she couldn't give Alaia too much attention, 348 00:20:38,379 --> 00:20:42,068 because Rashod would have a problem with it. 349 00:20:48,758 --> 00:20:51,965 Alessia is recording baby Alaia. 350 00:20:51,965 --> 00:20:54,413 She's just a little bit older in this clip. 351 00:21:00,275 --> 00:21:01,758 [Alessia speaking] 352 00:21:04,275 --> 00:21:06,862 SANDY: I noticed that he started reciting 353 00:21:06,862 --> 00:21:09,000 the poem that was in Chucky 354 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,068 when the guy was invoking the spirits. 355 00:21:11,068 --> 00:21:12,655 [Alessia speaking] 356 00:21:15,689 --> 00:21:17,551 [laughing] 357 00:21:17,551 --> 00:21:19,620 [Alessia speaking] 358 00:21:20,793 --> 00:21:23,448 And he starts laughing -- just weird that 359 00:21:23,448 --> 00:21:25,275 a person would do that, just... 360 00:21:25,275 --> 00:21:27,896 to the little baby that they have in their hand. 361 00:21:27,896 --> 00:21:30,241 I was kind of... 362 00:21:30,241 --> 00:21:31,758 troubled with that. 363 00:21:37,034 --> 00:21:38,275 [phone beeping] 364 00:21:38,275 --> 00:21:42,034 Around June, I got a text from Alessia's phone, 365 00:21:42,034 --> 00:21:45,551 stating that she needed money for a tow. 366 00:21:45,551 --> 00:21:49,448 Of course, I sent her the money. 367 00:21:49,448 --> 00:21:52,448 NARRATOR: Liz calls Alessia to see if she's okay, 368 00:21:52,517 --> 00:21:54,068 but there's no answer. 369 00:21:54,068 --> 00:21:57,758 So I end up writing, I believe her mom, 370 00:21:57,827 --> 00:22:00,172 and asked if Alessia was okay. 371 00:22:00,172 --> 00:22:04,103 And that's when Alessia called me from her mom's Facebook and 372 00:22:04,103 --> 00:22:08,137 explained that Rashod took her phone, and that he contacted 373 00:22:08,137 --> 00:22:10,965 multiple people in regards to money, acting like her. 374 00:22:12,172 --> 00:22:13,655 She was devastated. 375 00:22:13,724 --> 00:22:15,655 I remember it was a couple of times 376 00:22:15,655 --> 00:22:19,551 she ended up writing me, and she said she wanted to leave. 377 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,000 In July, 378 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:28,586 I remember Alessia telling me about Rashod pulling out 379 00:22:28,586 --> 00:22:29,931 a gun on her. 380 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:36,793 I believe he had full control over her after that time. 381 00:22:36,793 --> 00:22:40,448 She accepted things that she wouldn't normally accept. 382 00:22:40,448 --> 00:22:45,758 I believe he manipulated her to the point that she felt like 383 00:22:45,827 --> 00:22:47,206 this is what she deserved. 384 00:22:52,068 --> 00:22:55,758 SANDY: She told me that she was feeling really sorry for Rashod. 385 00:22:55,758 --> 00:22:57,896 "He's had a rough life, and I just wanna -- 386 00:22:57,896 --> 00:23:00,655 I just feel bad for him, and I just want to help him out." 387 00:23:02,482 --> 00:23:04,655 And I said, "Well, I don't know why you feel sorry for him." 388 00:23:04,655 --> 00:23:07,689 I was like, "He clearly doesn't feel sorry for you." 389 00:23:07,689 --> 00:23:10,758 She said several times that he threatened her that if she was 390 00:23:10,758 --> 00:23:13,275 to ever leave him, that he would come, 391 00:23:13,275 --> 00:23:15,517 and he would kill her family. 392 00:23:17,655 --> 00:23:21,655 She knew Rashod more than anybody did. 393 00:23:21,655 --> 00:23:26,379 And I feel like she thought she had no escape. 394 00:23:26,379 --> 00:23:30,448 I believe Alessia put herself in harm's way to protect everybody 395 00:23:30,448 --> 00:23:31,931 that she loved. 396 00:23:39,379 --> 00:23:41,586 NARRATOR: Rashod's unpredictable behavior 397 00:23:41,586 --> 00:23:43,758 forces Alessia into action. 398 00:23:45,551 --> 00:23:47,551 She plans to move with her kids 399 00:23:47,551 --> 00:23:49,344 and live with her brother, George. 400 00:23:49,344 --> 00:23:52,482 AYALA: Alessia was serious about leaving Rashod. 401 00:23:52,482 --> 00:23:55,862 She wanted a new life. She wanted to start over. 402 00:23:55,862 --> 00:23:59,310 She just wanted better for her children. 403 00:24:01,896 --> 00:24:03,758 She's like, "I'm done with him. 404 00:24:03,758 --> 00:24:06,655 I'm ready to go," and she asked me to come 405 00:24:06,655 --> 00:24:09,034 pick her up, and I did. 406 00:24:11,586 --> 00:24:12,793 I didn't hesitate. 407 00:24:12,793 --> 00:24:16,448 I got in my car right away, and I drove to pick her up, 408 00:24:16,517 --> 00:24:18,137 and I recorded my journey... 409 00:24:19,689 --> 00:24:22,000 in case, God forbid, something did happen. 410 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:27,758 I think things with him were so unpredictable at that moment, 411 00:24:27,827 --> 00:24:30,827 that I just didn't know what he could have done. 412 00:24:34,172 --> 00:24:36,862 Nothing happened, though. She came home that day. 413 00:24:39,793 --> 00:24:42,103 NARRATOR: That same weekend, Alessia meets up 414 00:24:42,103 --> 00:24:43,551 with her friend, Liz. 415 00:24:43,551 --> 00:24:47,172 I could just tell from her face that she was just so drained 416 00:24:47,172 --> 00:24:48,862 with everything in life. 417 00:24:48,862 --> 00:24:51,965 We were talking about everything positive. 418 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,344 We wanted to move on with our -- our summer. 419 00:24:54,344 --> 00:24:57,482 We wanted to hang out more with the kids. 420 00:24:57,482 --> 00:24:59,482 There was definitely a lot of hope 421 00:24:59,482 --> 00:25:02,241 for Alessia around the time that she was getting 422 00:25:02,241 --> 00:25:04,241 help and therapy. 423 00:25:09,862 --> 00:25:12,965 SANDY: I get home from work, and she's dressed, 424 00:25:12,965 --> 00:25:14,344 and she's got her hair done. 425 00:25:14,413 --> 00:25:17,172 She's got a baby bag with her, and she has 426 00:25:17,172 --> 00:25:21,172 the baby in the car seat -- I said to her, "Alessia, 427 00:25:21,172 --> 00:25:22,448 where are you going?" 428 00:25:22,517 --> 00:25:25,344 And she goes, "Oh, I'm going to Target." 429 00:25:25,413 --> 00:25:27,551 I said, "Who you going to Target with?" 430 00:25:27,620 --> 00:25:29,000 She goes, "I'll be back." 431 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:30,379 And I was like, "I know you're not going with 432 00:25:30,379 --> 00:25:31,482 your daughter's father." 433 00:25:31,482 --> 00:25:35,482 I'm like, after all the stuff that just transpired. 434 00:25:35,482 --> 00:25:39,103 I pleaded with her, you know, "Please don't go," and... 435 00:25:40,793 --> 00:25:43,241 She looked at me, she said, "I'll be fine," 436 00:25:43,241 --> 00:25:45,448 and she told me she loved me. 437 00:25:45,517 --> 00:25:47,000 And I said, "Well, I love you," you know, 438 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:48,448 "Anything, just call me." 439 00:25:48,448 --> 00:25:51,448 And that was it. 440 00:26:06,241 --> 00:26:08,103 I was working in construction detail at 441 00:26:08,103 --> 00:26:11,034 the intersection of Quinnipiac Avenue and Clifton Street. 442 00:26:11,034 --> 00:26:13,931 While we were setting up around 9:19, 443 00:26:13,931 --> 00:26:16,379 I heard 5 to 6 loud bangs. 444 00:26:16,379 --> 00:26:20,310 [six gunshots blast] 445 00:26:20,310 --> 00:26:22,000 In my head, I was wondering if it was fireworks 446 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:23,862 or if it was gunshots. 447 00:26:23,862 --> 00:26:25,793 And I observed a male east of my location, 448 00:26:25,793 --> 00:26:29,103 holding a gun, standing over a female subject on 449 00:26:29,103 --> 00:26:30,758 the ground next to a vehicle. 450 00:26:32,793 --> 00:26:36,965 I started radioing dispatch and informing them of the shooting. 451 00:26:36,965 --> 00:26:40,931 The subject entered the car and started driving. 452 00:26:43,551 --> 00:26:45,517 As I got up to the female victim, 453 00:26:45,517 --> 00:26:48,379 it was apparent that she had several gunshot wounds, 454 00:26:48,379 --> 00:26:50,655 including a severe head injury. 455 00:26:50,655 --> 00:26:53,103 At this time, I asked medical to step it up. 456 00:26:53,103 --> 00:26:56,241 -[siren wailing] -Backup was arriving for me, 457 00:26:56,241 --> 00:26:58,620 also, at that time. 458 00:26:58,620 --> 00:27:02,344 When I got on scene, the female was unresponsive. 459 00:27:03,551 --> 00:27:07,275 Medical services told us that she was deceased. 460 00:27:07,275 --> 00:27:10,172 NARRATOR: Detective Conklin takes the lead 461 00:27:10,172 --> 00:27:12,034 in the investigation. 462 00:27:12,034 --> 00:27:15,413 On scene in immediate proximity to Miss Mesquita's body, 463 00:27:15,413 --> 00:27:18,000 there was a backpack. 464 00:27:19,758 --> 00:27:21,379 There were some personal effects, 465 00:27:21,379 --> 00:27:24,896 then there was also some shell casings. 466 00:27:25,758 --> 00:27:28,344 The key item that drew the attention of myself 467 00:27:28,344 --> 00:27:30,931 and a number of other detectives was a baby bottle. 468 00:27:30,931 --> 00:27:33,413 It indicated to us that there was obviously 469 00:27:33,413 --> 00:27:35,655 an infant that was in play on this scene. 470 00:27:37,758 --> 00:27:40,827 NARRATOR: The vehicle has sped off -- at the scene, 471 00:27:40,827 --> 00:27:42,793 detectives find the victim's ID. 472 00:27:42,793 --> 00:27:46,586 CONKLIN: The victim was identified as Alessia Mesquita, 473 00:27:48,206 --> 00:27:51,793 uh, young female, New Haven resident, lived actually just 474 00:27:51,793 --> 00:27:53,862 a couple blocks from the scene of the crime. 475 00:27:55,965 --> 00:27:58,206 It was after nine o'clock in the morning. 476 00:27:58,206 --> 00:28:01,379 I just remember sitting on the couch, 477 00:28:01,379 --> 00:28:03,344 and I heard 478 00:28:03,344 --> 00:28:07,448 a series of gunshots. 479 00:28:08,862 --> 00:28:13,000 I just had this very unsettling feeling in my stomach, 480 00:28:14,724 --> 00:28:17,206 and I heard, um, 481 00:28:17,206 --> 00:28:20,517 somebody banging on my door, and, um... 482 00:28:21,758 --> 00:28:23,965 I asked who it was, and they said, 483 00:28:23,965 --> 00:28:25,896 "It's the New Haven Police Department." 484 00:28:25,896 --> 00:28:30,655 And they said, "Do you know an Alessia Mesquita?" 485 00:28:30,655 --> 00:28:32,586 And I said, "Yes, that's my daughter." 486 00:28:32,586 --> 00:28:35,344 I said, "Just tell me -- if that's my daughter laying in 487 00:28:35,344 --> 00:28:36,482 "the street right now dead, 488 00:28:36,482 --> 00:28:38,724 "you need to tell me, because her killer 489 00:28:38,724 --> 00:28:40,448 "is Rashod Newton, and you need 490 00:28:40,448 --> 00:28:41,965 to go out there looking for him." 491 00:28:43,827 --> 00:28:46,172 Upon being told of her daughter's passing, 492 00:28:46,172 --> 00:28:48,413 Miss Mesquita's mother, 493 00:28:48,413 --> 00:28:51,620 Sandra, immediately named a suspect. 494 00:28:51,620 --> 00:28:55,413 She knew Mr. Newton to be volatile, to be violent, 495 00:28:55,413 --> 00:28:57,448 to be aggressive towards her daughter. 496 00:28:57,448 --> 00:29:03,000 He said he -- he shot her -- he just shot her multiple times. 497 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:07,068 CONKLIN: Sandra informed detectives that Mr. Newton is 498 00:29:07,068 --> 00:29:09,448 known to drive a gray Toyota Camry. 499 00:29:11,103 --> 00:29:13,172 NARRATOR: It's the same vehicle Officer Mortali 500 00:29:13,172 --> 00:29:15,689 saw drive off after the shooting. 501 00:29:16,965 --> 00:29:20,000 It was at this point that we truly developed Mr. Newton 502 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:21,620 to be a suspect in this case. 503 00:29:22,689 --> 00:29:24,862 Sandy also informed detectives that 504 00:29:24,862 --> 00:29:28,689 the night before, Miss Mesquita left their residence to join 505 00:29:28,689 --> 00:29:32,275 Mr. Newton with their young child, Alaia. 506 00:29:34,137 --> 00:29:36,034 SANDY: And then I was like, "Where's the baby?" 507 00:29:36,034 --> 00:29:38,758 I had to remain composed and, um, 508 00:29:40,068 --> 00:29:43,034 and -- and not scream and cry, because 509 00:29:43,034 --> 00:29:46,137 now I'm faced with the fact that I have 510 00:29:46,137 --> 00:29:47,586 a dead daughter 511 00:29:47,586 --> 00:29:50,827 and a missing grandchild. 512 00:29:57,482 --> 00:30:00,172 CONKLIN: We put out a Silver Alert region-wide 513 00:30:00,172 --> 00:30:03,655 so that everyone, from the general public to other 514 00:30:03,655 --> 00:30:05,689 law enforcement agencies would be aware 515 00:30:05,689 --> 00:30:08,275 that we're looking for this child. 516 00:30:08,275 --> 00:30:11,172 It's very scary to think that on the scene of a homicide, 517 00:30:11,172 --> 00:30:14,827 there was a -- a baby that's now unaccounted for. 518 00:30:19,034 --> 00:30:22,413 NARRATOR: Word of Alessia's murder spreads through the community. 519 00:30:23,620 --> 00:30:26,517 I got a notification from Alessia's sister, 520 00:30:26,517 --> 00:30:29,172 and it was a voice message. 521 00:30:29,172 --> 00:30:31,655 Aliya was screaming from the top of her lungs 522 00:30:31,655 --> 00:30:34,241 that Rashod killed her. 523 00:30:36,103 --> 00:30:37,482 It was traumatizing. 524 00:30:37,482 --> 00:30:42,068 I don't think I could ever, like, get that image out. 525 00:30:42,068 --> 00:30:44,000 Well, that sound out of my head. 526 00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:47,517 I got the call from Alessia's brother 527 00:30:47,517 --> 00:30:50,896 at work, and it was just a very emotional roller coaster for 528 00:30:50,896 --> 00:30:54,172 that day -- from there on, I went to go get my son. 529 00:30:55,758 --> 00:30:59,172 I was just like, "Well, you know, your mother's in 530 00:30:59,172 --> 00:31:01,551 "a better place now, and you know that she loves you 531 00:31:01,551 --> 00:31:03,344 "and that I'm gonna be there for you, 532 00:31:03,344 --> 00:31:04,586 and you're gonna be safe with me." 533 00:31:06,275 --> 00:31:08,793 So we had a little moment with each other. 534 00:31:12,034 --> 00:31:14,068 [siren wails] 535 00:31:14,068 --> 00:31:16,482 NARRATOR: The police launch a manhunt for Rashod 536 00:31:16,482 --> 00:31:18,137 and missing baby, Alaia. 537 00:31:18,137 --> 00:31:20,655 And we located residents that had 538 00:31:20,655 --> 00:31:24,413 a camera that was pointed in the direction of where 539 00:31:24,413 --> 00:31:25,551 the crime had committed. 540 00:31:25,551 --> 00:31:29,896 Luckily, they agreed to allow us to view that footage. 541 00:31:30,896 --> 00:31:34,413 We saw exactly what had unfolded at that time. 542 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:40,896 We saw a vehicle pull up to 543 00:31:40,896 --> 00:31:44,000 the intersection and come to a stop -- at that time, 544 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:48,000 a female gets out of the front passenger seat 545 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:54,068 and immediately proceeds towards the right rear passenger door. 546 00:31:54,068 --> 00:31:55,965 The vehicle takes off. 547 00:31:55,965 --> 00:32:00,172 The female runs towards the car and begins to scream. 548 00:32:00,172 --> 00:32:02,689 As the female gets closer to 549 00:32:02,689 --> 00:32:06,103 the car, the driver's side door opens. 550 00:32:06,103 --> 00:32:12,068 A male exits the car and fires approximately 551 00:32:12,068 --> 00:32:13,137 six shots. 552 00:32:13,137 --> 00:32:18,137 [six gunshots blast] 553 00:32:18,137 --> 00:32:20,241 The female is seen falling to the ground. 554 00:32:21,206 --> 00:32:25,379 The male then gets back into the driver's seat 555 00:32:25,379 --> 00:32:28,103 and disappears off camera. 556 00:32:30,068 --> 00:32:34,344 We were able to share a description of the suspect, 557 00:32:34,344 --> 00:32:36,275 a description of the vehicle in which he was 558 00:32:36,275 --> 00:32:40,482 traveling, and that was also placed out to surrounding towns. 559 00:32:43,689 --> 00:32:46,379 As the canvass for the vehicle expanded, 560 00:32:46,379 --> 00:32:48,689 Sergeant Gary Hamil came across it parked in 561 00:32:48,689 --> 00:32:52,103 a residential driveway at approximately 10:30, roughly 562 00:32:52,103 --> 00:32:55,482 an hour after the incident, not a very far distance from 563 00:32:55,482 --> 00:32:58,206 the scene of the crime. 564 00:32:58,206 --> 00:33:01,034 Officers conducted a search of the vehicle through 565 00:33:01,034 --> 00:33:03,206 the outside windows, and it was determined that there was 566 00:33:03,206 --> 00:33:05,758 a baby seat located inside the car. 567 00:33:05,758 --> 00:33:09,172 However, no child was located with the vehicle. 568 00:33:11,241 --> 00:33:13,482 NARRATOR: Detectives track down another resident's 569 00:33:13,482 --> 00:33:15,931 security camera near the suspect's vehicle. 570 00:33:15,931 --> 00:33:17,586 Upon the review of 571 00:33:17,586 --> 00:33:21,620 the security footage, we see at approximately 9:22 a.m., 572 00:33:21,620 --> 00:33:25,275 the Toyota Camry is parked at the residence on Russell Street, 573 00:33:25,275 --> 00:33:27,655 minutes after the actual homicide. 574 00:33:27,655 --> 00:33:31,137 We continue to watch the footage, and it depicts 575 00:33:31,137 --> 00:33:33,862 a black male with short hair wearing 576 00:33:33,862 --> 00:33:37,586 a black and purple jacket, blue jeans, exit that vehicle. 577 00:33:39,275 --> 00:33:41,586 NARRATOR: The individual's appearance matches 578 00:33:41,586 --> 00:33:44,206 the male caught on camera shooting Alessia. 579 00:33:44,206 --> 00:33:46,448 That same individual then acquires 580 00:33:46,448 --> 00:33:48,931 a young infant child from the back of 581 00:33:48,931 --> 00:33:51,586 the vehicle and then proceeds on foot with 582 00:33:51,586 --> 00:33:55,655 the child down Russell Street to Clifton Street towards 583 00:33:55,655 --> 00:33:57,931 Eastern Street. 584 00:33:57,931 --> 00:34:01,482 CORDERO: This person just executed a young female 585 00:34:01,482 --> 00:34:03,793 broad daylight in the middle of the street, 586 00:34:03,793 --> 00:34:06,517 and so there's a thousand questions that 587 00:34:06,517 --> 00:34:08,585 run through your mind when you think about 588 00:34:08,585 --> 00:34:10,793 the safety of that child. 589 00:34:25,447 --> 00:34:27,585 NARRATOR: Detective Cordero and his partner 590 00:34:27,585 --> 00:34:30,275 patrol Eastern Street, the direction in which 591 00:34:30,275 --> 00:34:33,482 the suspect was seen fleeing on camera. 592 00:34:33,482 --> 00:34:37,724 I was parked, and in the distance, 593 00:34:37,724 --> 00:34:41,862 I could see that there was a group of people 594 00:34:41,862 --> 00:34:43,793 leaving a residence. 595 00:34:45,275 --> 00:34:48,620 The people appeared to be holding a small child 596 00:34:48,620 --> 00:34:51,000 under a blanket. 597 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:53,896 Everything had unraveled so quickly. 598 00:34:53,896 --> 00:34:57,000 Why are these people running out to a car 599 00:34:57,000 --> 00:34:58,517 parked across the street? 600 00:35:00,275 --> 00:35:04,034 As we approached, we drew out our firearms. 601 00:35:05,793 --> 00:35:07,137 NARRATOR: The passengers admit 602 00:35:07,137 --> 00:35:08,862 they're related to Rashod Newton. 603 00:35:08,862 --> 00:35:13,172 Ultimately, that family ended up confirming that it was the child 604 00:35:13,172 --> 00:35:15,586 we were looking for. 605 00:35:15,586 --> 00:35:18,482 The relief that the child was found was just 606 00:35:18,482 --> 00:35:21,862 absolutely overwhelming. 607 00:35:21,862 --> 00:35:24,965 NARRATOR: After further questions, the family are not charged 608 00:35:24,965 --> 00:35:26,931 and are free to go. 609 00:35:29,310 --> 00:35:31,379 Officers discover Rashod is wanted by 610 00:35:31,379 --> 00:35:33,931 a neighboring police force for shooting Alessia's 611 00:35:33,931 --> 00:35:35,448 roommate over a year ago. 612 00:35:35,448 --> 00:35:38,517 They turn their attention to locating him 613 00:35:38,517 --> 00:35:41,344 and set up a perimeter around the residence. 614 00:35:41,344 --> 00:35:43,620 CORDERO: You don't know what this person is capable of. 615 00:35:43,620 --> 00:35:46,034 You have to expect the worst. 616 00:35:48,379 --> 00:35:51,206 While I was in the back of the residence, I could hear 617 00:35:51,206 --> 00:35:55,000 a loud commotion going on in the front, and we were 618 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:57,206 informed that a female had placed what 619 00:35:57,206 --> 00:36:01,000 appeared to be a hat with a firearm in it on 620 00:36:01,000 --> 00:36:03,517 the ground and was yelling that, um, 621 00:36:03,517 --> 00:36:07,758 the suspect was inside and not to harm him. 622 00:36:09,586 --> 00:36:11,413 One of the officers on scene then 623 00:36:11,413 --> 00:36:13,517 started to hail the suspect out of 624 00:36:13,517 --> 00:36:17,275 the apartment over his police vehicle's PA system. 625 00:36:20,379 --> 00:36:24,137 Shortly after, my partner, uh, yells to me from 626 00:36:24,137 --> 00:36:28,310 the back that the suspect's coming out of 627 00:36:28,310 --> 00:36:29,758 the rear of the residence. 628 00:36:30,931 --> 00:36:34,103 I immediately run over to assist him. 629 00:36:36,482 --> 00:36:39,620 He was put in handcuffs, he was removed from 630 00:36:39,620 --> 00:36:42,965 the scene and placed in a law enforcement vehicle, 631 00:36:42,965 --> 00:36:45,517 and transferred back to the police department. 632 00:36:46,689 --> 00:36:51,793 There's no greater feeling than to feel that you not only been 633 00:36:51,793 --> 00:36:55,689 able to recover a child but to get 634 00:36:55,689 --> 00:37:00,517 a suspect who you saw commit a heinous crime. 635 00:37:00,517 --> 00:37:02,689 It's satisfying, it's gratifying. 636 00:37:02,689 --> 00:37:04,724 But ultimately, at the end of the day, 637 00:37:04,724 --> 00:37:08,344 a young woman lost her life, and a child lost their mother. 638 00:37:15,724 --> 00:37:16,931 NARRATOR: At the police station, 639 00:37:16,931 --> 00:37:20,620 Detective Conklin interviews Rashod Newton. 640 00:37:20,620 --> 00:37:24,000 Mr. Newton was acting very downtrodden, 641 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:27,275 very somber at this point. 642 00:37:28,551 --> 00:37:30,000 Over the course of the interview, 643 00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:33,000 Mr. Newton provided a full confession 644 00:37:33,000 --> 00:37:36,517 in regards to the homicide of Miss Mesquita. 645 00:38:03,379 --> 00:38:04,793 CONKLIN: What we were able to piece together 646 00:38:04,793 --> 00:38:06,448 about that morning was that 647 00:38:06,448 --> 00:38:08,482 they woke up at an area hotel 648 00:38:08,482 --> 00:38:10,965 and then drove into New Haven. 649 00:38:12,655 --> 00:38:14,448 As they were driving in New Haven, 650 00:38:14,448 --> 00:38:18,275 Miss Mesquita and Mr. Newton got into a verbal argument in 651 00:38:18,275 --> 00:38:19,896 the car -- they were fighting inside the car. 652 00:38:19,896 --> 00:38:23,000 It elevated to the point where Miss Mesquita 653 00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:26,241 wanted to exit the car -- she told Mr. Newton to stop. 654 00:38:26,241 --> 00:38:27,758 He did. 655 00:38:27,758 --> 00:38:30,241 She goes to get out of the car, she collects her belongings, 656 00:38:30,241 --> 00:38:32,206 her backpack, her Target bags, 657 00:38:32,206 --> 00:38:33,517 and like any good mother, 658 00:38:33,517 --> 00:38:36,206 she went to go retrieve her child from the back of the car. 659 00:38:36,206 --> 00:38:38,793 As she exited the vehicle, 660 00:38:38,793 --> 00:38:42,034 Mr. Newton pulled off abruptly, causing Miss Mesquita to yell, 661 00:38:42,034 --> 00:38:43,241 to scream for her child. 662 00:38:43,241 --> 00:38:48,793 He then stopped -- at that point, he exited the vehicle, 663 00:38:48,793 --> 00:38:51,620 he snapped, and that's when he started to shoot at her. 664 00:38:52,655 --> 00:38:55,482 [two gunshots blast] 665 00:38:58,448 --> 00:39:00,827 Mr. Newton was charged with murder, 666 00:39:00,827 --> 00:39:03,103 criminal possession of a firearm, 667 00:39:03,103 --> 00:39:05,034 and risk of injury to a minor. 668 00:39:11,275 --> 00:39:15,793 NARRATOR: On March 25th, 2021, family and friends gather 669 00:39:15,793 --> 00:39:17,655 to commemorate Alessia's life. 670 00:39:17,655 --> 00:39:21,000 SANDY: Unfortunately, when Alessia passed away, 671 00:39:21,000 --> 00:39:24,620 she didn't have any life insurance, so, um, 672 00:39:24,620 --> 00:39:28,034 I was faced with, oh, my God, you know, how am I gonna 673 00:39:28,034 --> 00:39:31,310 bury my daughter, and the community 674 00:39:31,310 --> 00:39:35,620 actually all got together, and they made a GoFundMe page. 675 00:39:37,103 --> 00:39:39,827 She made an impact in so many people's lives that, 676 00:39:39,827 --> 00:39:42,034 you know, people came out of nowhere. 677 00:39:42,034 --> 00:39:44,103 The support was overwhelming. 678 00:39:46,034 --> 00:39:49,172 It was very touching and just very emotional. 679 00:39:50,931 --> 00:39:52,862 It was just an emotional roller coaster. 680 00:39:52,862 --> 00:39:55,448 We got there. 681 00:39:55,448 --> 00:39:59,034 We sat down, and, um, my son couldn't even look. 682 00:40:00,482 --> 00:40:02,137 He was just so hurt. 683 00:40:04,551 --> 00:40:06,758 AYALA: It was like Snow White -- she had a, like, 684 00:40:06,758 --> 00:40:11,344 a horse and carriage that took her to the cemetery. 685 00:40:12,689 --> 00:40:14,586 And I just thought it was so beautiful. 686 00:40:14,586 --> 00:40:18,448 She went out like a princess, like a queen, actually. 687 00:40:29,172 --> 00:40:33,206 On December 1st, 2022, Mr. Newton pled guilty to 688 00:40:33,206 --> 00:40:35,000 the murder of Miss Mesquita. 689 00:40:36,758 --> 00:40:39,689 NARRATOR: He also pleads guilty to the first-degree assault of 690 00:40:39,689 --> 00:40:42,620 Alessia's roommate at their apartment in West Haven 691 00:40:42,620 --> 00:40:44,275 in 2020. 692 00:40:46,827 --> 00:40:50,000 On January 26th, 2023, 693 00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:53,896 Rashod Newton is sentenced to 35 years in prison. 694 00:40:55,517 --> 00:40:58,344 I've personally been investigating homicides for 695 00:40:58,344 --> 00:40:59,965 a number of years at this point. 696 00:40:59,965 --> 00:41:05,724 This, in my opinion, is one of the most evil homicides 697 00:41:05,724 --> 00:41:07,172 I've seen to date. 698 00:41:10,931 --> 00:41:12,448 He took a great friend, 699 00:41:12,448 --> 00:41:16,241 a beautiful daughter, a beautiful mother. 700 00:41:17,586 --> 00:41:20,758 -Hey. Ooh! -[Joe laughs] 701 00:41:20,758 --> 00:41:24,000 SANDY: March 22nd, 2021, 702 00:41:24,000 --> 00:41:25,586 I lost my daughter, 703 00:41:25,586 --> 00:41:29,034 and I became a mother all over again, because 704 00:41:29,034 --> 00:41:32,034 I have custody of Alaia, and I've been raising her 705 00:41:32,034 --> 00:41:34,517 ever since, 706 00:41:34,517 --> 00:41:37,206 and that's gonna be a tough one when she gets older 707 00:41:37,206 --> 00:41:39,137 and wants to know where her mother is. 708 00:41:43,068 --> 00:41:49,034 My message to anyone who has a relative, a friend, family, 709 00:41:49,034 --> 00:41:52,689 anyone who's experiencing domestic violence, 710 00:41:54,275 --> 00:41:57,344 the red flags are there for a reason. 711 00:41:57,344 --> 00:42:00,379 Just educate yourself 712 00:42:00,379 --> 00:42:03,413 on the proper ways 713 00:42:03,413 --> 00:42:05,620 to get out of an abusive relationship, 714 00:42:05,620 --> 00:42:07,965 because there are ways to do it. 715 00:42:13,034 --> 00:42:14,344 And don't be afraid.