Devin Katzfey, alleged "primary aggressor" pleads not guilty after fatal beating posted to Snapchat



MILWAUKEE -- 20-year-old Devin Katzfey pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, January 4th in connection with his alleged role in the fatal beating of Delvin Mendoza-Chaparro -- a crime caught on camera -- video of the brutal beating posted to Mendoza-Chaparro's own Snapchat account.

Devin Katzfey's own brother, who is also charged in this case, told investigators Devin was the "primary aggressor."

Devin Katzfey



Devin Katzfey faces one count of first degree reckless homicide as party to a crime.

A criminal complaint says he recorded three videos showing Mendoza-Chaparro bloodied and beaten -- and uploaded them to Mendoza-Chaparro's own Snapchat account.

At one point, Katzfey turned the phone's camera on himself.

Devin Katzfey



One video shows Mendoza-Chaparro near a cat litter box, with yellow liquid around him. The complaint says the victim was forced to eat cat feces and was urinated on, all before Katzfey and a woman, Sarah Zakzesky told police they dumped Mendoza-Chaparro's body in an alley -- leaving him for dead.

The complaint states Devin Katzfey thought Mendoza-Chaparro stole a bong, a pipe and other items from Zakzesky's home near 6th and Rogers on December 19th.

Delvin Mendoza-Chaparro



Devin Katzfey



"Listen, one thing that has happened in this case is there's an extreme rush to judgement. In this country, we have the right to contest every charge, no matter how serious it is. Right now we are at the beginning stages. There is another side to this story. I would just ask everyone in this community to let the process play out, let Devin's side of the story be heard. Social media is a new animal. We're all learning about it. We are learning of the ups and downs and this is obviously a pretty novel case," said Daniel Adams, Katzfey's lawyer.

Home near 6th and Rogers where Delvin Mendoza-Chaparro allegedly beaten



Four people total were arrested in this case. Three have been charged.

20-year-old Sarah Zakzesky faces one count of first degree reckless homicide as party to a crime. She waived her right to a preliminary hearing on December 29th — and then pleaded not guilty. Cash bond was set at $50,000 for Zakzesky, who will next be in court on January 12th for a scheduling conference.

Devin Katzfey's brother, 19-year-old Branden Katzfey faces one count of first degree reckless homicide as party to a crime. He waived his preliminary hearing on December 30th and has pleaded not guilty. He has a scheduling conference set for January 12th. Cash bond was set at $10,000 for Branden Katzfey.

Criminal complaints indicate both Zakzesky and Branden Katzfey admitted to taking part in the beating of Mendoza-Chaparro.

Devin Katzfey is accused of hitting the victim in the face and head 25 times.

Zakzesky said his brother Branden struck the victim in the face multiple times.

Branden Katzfey told investigators Zakzesky slammed his head into a counter. Branden Katzfey said he and Devin urinated on Mendoza-Chaparro, and Devin made him eat from the litter box. Branden said Mendoza-Chaparro had stolen his phone.

Branden Katzfey said he didn't call police "because he was scared and because, at the time, he thought (Mendoza-Chaparro) deserved it because he was stealing from them."

At one point, Zakzesky said she asked about getting medical attention for Mendoza-Chaparro, but was told "no."

Devin Katzfey, Sarah Zakzesky, Branden Katzfey