The Murder of Alessia Mesquita
For this case, I watched an episode of American Monster. It’s season 11 episode 10, titled ‘Angels and Demons.’
A young mother of 2 is shot in broad daylight.
Background
Alessia Mesquita was born on June 20, 1992, in New Haven, Connecticut to parents George and Sandy.
Alessia was described as very outgoing and goofy. Her mother, Sandy said she had always loved school and was hardworking.
Alessia Mesquita
Young Love
In 2010, Alessia began dating Joseph Martinez. They got married in February 2012, when they were both 19.
In January 2013, Alessia gave birth to their son, Joe. Alessia stayed home with the baby while Joseph worked at a local hospital.
The pressure of being young parents took a toll on Alessia and Joseph’s relationship. Alessia confided in her best friend, Liz that she was with the baby all the time and didn’t have a break. Alessia loved being a mom but she also made time to spend time with her friends and family.
In June 2018, Alessia and Joseph separated. Alessia and baby Joe moved in with Liz.
Alessia began to date, and Liz said Alessia seemed happy and more like herself.
A Blast from the Past
In November 2018, Alessia moved into a house in West Haven, Connecticut with 2 of her friends. She got a job as a medical assistant at an urgent care center. She loved her patients and helping them.
By January 2019, Alessia began dating a man named Rashod Newton. Alessia had known Rashod since elementary school and once had a crush on him. Less than a year into their relationship, Alessia learned she was pregnant, and that they were going to have a girl.
At first, Sandy liked Rashod and could tell that he loved Alessia. She described him as very touchy and loving. However, she and Liz both started to see the red flags. Rashod became jealous quickly and didn’t want Alessia to even spend time with her son.
Sandy learned that Alessia had gone through Rashod’s phone and saw that he had been messaging other women. This caused a fight between them, and Rashod told her it wouldn’t happen again.
The Shooting
In January 2020, Alessia was still living with her friends. Alessia texted Sandy that Rashod had shot one of her roommates.
After the shooting, Alessia told her mom that Rashod had made her leave with him. Sandy told Alessia to share her location with her. Sandy and Alessia’s brother went out to look for them. Alessia was able to escape from Rashod’s car at a local gas station and was picked up by her brother and Sandy.
Sandy begged Alessia to leave Rashod. Alessia told her mom that she felt sorry for Rashod because of his rough upbringing.
After the shooting, an arrest warrant was put out for Rashod, and he went into hiding. Alessia’s roommate told the police that Rashod shot him in the arm after he asked him to leave. Rashod had been yelling and screaming, which was frightening the children in the home.
Rashod briefly came out of hiding on February 17, 2020, when their daughter was born.
The Murder
Sandy hoped that the birth of his daughter would change Rashod’s behavior. Sadly, it didn’t.
In June 2020, Rashod used Alessia’s phone to ask several people for money by pretending to be her. In July, he pulled a gun on Alessia.
By March 2021, Alessia finally began to see that Rashod was unpredictable and was going to take the kids and move in with her family. Alessia asked Sandy to pick her up and she did. Sandy recorded picking Alessia and the kids up in case something bad happened, but nothing did.
On March 21, 2021, Alessia told Sandy that she was taking her daughter and going to run to Target. However, Sandy knew that Alessia was going to see Rashod and begged her not to go. Alessia told her that she would be fine and left.
The next morning, on March 22, Officer Joseph Mortali of the New Haven Police said he was working construction detail and heard 5-6 loud bangs. He then observed a male holding a gun and a woman on the ground. He radioed dispatch and informed them of the shooting. The male drove off in the car.
The female was identified as Alessia Mesquita. Her ID was found in a backpack that was located near her body. Alessia had been shot several times and had a serious head injury. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police also learned that Alessia’s daughter had been in the car as they found baby items and a bottle in the backpack. A silver alert was put out for the baby.
The Manhunt
Sandy lived only a few blocks away from where Alessia had been shot and heard the gunshots. The police arrived at her house not long after the gunshots were heard. She was notified that Alessia was killed and her granddaughter was missing. Sandy told them that they needed to be looking for Rashod Newton.
Sandy told the police that Rashod drove a gray Toyota Camry, which was the car seen driving away from the scene. She said Alessia and the baby had left the previous night to see Rashod.
The police located a surveillance camera on a home near the crime scene. The homeowner allowed the police to look at the footage. Alessia’s murder was captured on camera.
In the footage, Rashod’s car could be seen driving down the street. It was later revealed that Rashod and Alessia had been arguing in the car. Alessia had enough and wanted to get out of the car. She was seen getting out of the car and walking to the back of the car.
Rashod then began to drive off. Alessia ran after the car. Rashod then stopped the car and shot Alessia several times and drove off with the baby.
The Arrest and Confession
About an hour after the murder, the gray Toyota Camry was located in the driveway of a home.
The police located a surveillance camera at a home near where the car was parked. At 9:22 am, the gray Toyota could be seen parking in the driveway. Rashod was seen exiting the car and grabbing his daughter. He left on foot carrying the baby.
The police patrolled the area they believed that Rashod walked to. They observed a group of people leaving a home carrying a small child and running to a car parked across the street.
The police approached the car and drew their weapons. The passengers in the car admitted that they were related to Rashod and confirmed that the child was Rashod and Alessia’s daughter. The baby was found unharmed, and Rashod’s family members were not charged.
Rashod was eventually arrested after he was told over the police P.A. system to exit the house.
At the police station, Rashod confessed to the shooting. He said he lost it when Alessia exited the car. He said he just started shooting but didn’t know how many times he shot her.
Rashod told the police that they had been at a hotel and drove into New Haven that morning. They were arguing inside the car. Alessia told Rashod to stop and wanted to get out of the car. Rashod said he shot her once she caught up to the car.
Rashod was charged with murder, criminal possession of a firearm, and risk of injury to a minor.
The Conviction
On March 25, 2021, Alessia was laid to rest. She didn’t have any life insurance money when she died, so the community created a GoFundMe to help her family with the cost of her funeral.
On December 1, 2022, Rashod pled guilty to murder and first-degree assault in the 2020 shooting of Alessia’s roommate.
On January 26, 2023, Rashod was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Sandy received custody of Alessia’s daughter.
Rashod Newton
FINAL THOUGHTS
My heart breaks for Alessia’s family. They thought that they were finally going to get Alessia and the kids away from Rashod. But, Alessia never gave up on him even when everyone was telling her to, which shows what a loving person she must have been. Rashod deserves a longer sentence than 35 years. As it was stated so many times, he’s unpredictable and would probably hurt someone again.
Sources
https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/new-haven-man-convicted-murder-mom-sentenced-17747228.php
