A remorseless man who murdered a college student 15 years ago shamelessly maintained he was 'not guilty' in bold letters printed on his prison jumpsuit before he was kicked out of the courtroom for interrupting the judge.
Despite being sentenced to life for the killing of 21-year-old Brandon Cartellone, convicted murderer Dojuan Nettles, 41, maintained his innocence at the Cuyahoga County courtroom in Ohio.
In video footage obtained by Cleveland19, Nettles can be seen speaking out on multiple occasions during his appearance.
'The courts are just trying to silence the outcries of the family, and I'm the one who has to suffer,' Nettles said to Judge David Matia.
'That's not right. That's not justice. That's a miscarriage of justice. This is not due process,' said Nettles.
'They know they're fabricating and falsifying; this is not justice,' said Nettles as he showed a large capitalized 'NOT GUILTY' sign written on the back of his orange jumpsuit.
'This has been the circus this entire proceeding, and I am not a criminal.'
Matia responded by saying: 'You're a hard individual to have any sympathy for. It's clear that you were involved in the murder of Brandon Cartellone.'
Dojuan Nettles 41 was sentenced to life in prison for the death of 21-year-old cleveland institute student Brandon Cartellone in a Cuyahoga County courtroom in Cleveland, Ohio
A man found guilty of murdering a college student 15 years ago declared his innocence in court by a message on his jumpsuit and interrupting his hearing until the judge removed him from court
Brandon Cartellone died of strangulation after being bound, beaten, and robbed, according to the Cuyahoga County medical examiner office
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Judge Matia stared at Nettles as he said: 'Your palm print was on duct tape that was used to bind him.'
Nettles objected, saying: 'Which was fabricated.'
The Judge warned Nettles that if he spoke out of turn once more, he would be sentenced to a holding cell.
Nettles then made another unclear outburst and was escorted outside of the courtroom.
As Nettles exited the courtroom, he asked: ' Do I have a First Amendment right, freedom of speech?
Matia responded: 'Not in this courtroom, buddy.' Nettles was convicted on murder and kidnapping charges
DNA evidence eventually led to the July 2025 arrest of Florida resident Nettles in connection with the cold case, whereas co-defendant Dionte Davis was cleared of all charges by a jury in October
The Judge stares at Nettles as he said: 'Your palm print was on duct tape that was used to bind him
According to 19 Action News, Cleveland Police found Brandon Cartellone bound at the hands and feet, with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
His girlfriend discovered his body inside his off-campus Tremont apartment, near Professor Street and West 10th Street, around 1.30 am on July 26, 2011.
During the investigation, authorities uncovered cash alongside a hydroponic marijuana grow setup in the residence.
Following the discovery, the Cleveland Institute of Art released a statement expressing deep sadness over the loss of their student as police investigated the circumstances.
'It is with great sadness that we report the death of CIA student Brandon Cartellone, who died in his off-campus apartment earlier today. The circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated by the Cleveland police,' the statement wrote.
Cartellone died of strangulation after being beaten and robbed, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.
DNA evidence eventually led to the July 2025 arrest of Florida resident Nettles in connection with the cold case, whereas co-defendant Dionte Davis was cleared of all charges by a jury in October.
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