Suspect in rapper's death to be formally arraigned Wednesday in Barstow
A man suspected in the execution-style slaying of 24-year-old rapper Robert Mastrangelo is scheduled to be formally arraigned Wednesday after a judge determined last week there was sufficient evidence to hold him on the charges.
Dudzai Prosper Pswatai faces charges of murder, kidnapping, robbery and a newly added fourth count of solicitation of murder of a witness when he is arraigned in Barstow Superior Court, according to Deputy District Attorney Shannon Faherty.
Pswatai, 20, also faces a special allegation for the use of a firearm for the first three counts, Faherty said.
Judge John B. Gibson ordered Pswatai held over for trial to face charges at a hearing on Aug. 28.
A jogger found Mastrangelo's body on June 14 alongside Outlet Center Drive near the northbound off-ramp of the 15 Freeway in Barstow. His feet were bound and he had been shot several times in the upper body, authorities said.
The victim's sister had reported him missing June 11.
An autopsy determined that Mastrangelo's death was the result of gunshot wounds to the upper body, according to Barstow Police. Detectives determined that Mastrangelo, of San Bernardino, was last seen on May 11 in the Redlands area where he was scheduled to meet with an acquaintance.
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