Lincoln man gets decades-long prison sentence in 2022 killing

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Lincoln man will spend several decades behind bars for the killing of 38-year-old Kupo Mleya in 2022.

On Wednesday, Lancaster County District Judge Lori Maret sentenced 24-year-old Karsen Rezac to 60 years to life in prison, according to court records.

He will serve at least 30 years due to Nebraska’s good time law, which cuts most sentences in half.

Last month, Rezac pleaded no contest to second-degree murder.  Another felony charge was dropped in exchange.

On Dec. 23, 2022, Rezac was backing out of his driveway near 20th and Washington streets when he was struck by Mleya, according to an arrest affidavit.

Rezac – who had a handgun in his center console – then “freaked out” and fired six shots at the vehicle, fatally wounding Mleya, the affidavit said.

Mleya and Rezac did not know each other, police said.

Rezac was arrested 34 hours after the shooting was reported.

Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon said nearly 100 people, including Mleya’s family and friends, attended the sentencing.

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