On Tuesday, September 26, a young Texas man was detained after admitting to an act of violence against a high school student in Tyler, Texas.
Jamaurea Jermaine Britton, 19, faces charges relating to the death of Dejah Hood, an 18-year-old student from John Tyler High School.
Information suggests that Hood had been in the company of friends, including Britton, the evening prior to the incident. Concerns emerged when she was not seen returning home and her phone remained unanswered. When authorities arrived at Britton’s residence for an inquiry around 1 pm on Tuesday, they detected signs of blood. A deeper search led them to find Hood’s body, meticulously concealed with trash bags, tape, and a sheet, behind the Hollytree Apartments.
Detailed information from the arrest warrant paints a clearer picture of the unfortunate series of events. Britton recounted that he had asked Hood and a one-year-old she was looking after to his home to assist with his moving preparations. At his apartment, a casual gesture by Hood, which involved her playfully pulling on his ear – similar to an action his previous girlfriend used to do – caused an unsettling response from Britton. He lashed out, using a glass bottle to hit her over the head, then punched her, tried to strangle her and followed by using a hammer, which was wielded with such force that its handle broke.
In the midst of these events, a nearby resident, having picked up on the disturbance, checked on Britton’s home. After quickly hiding Hood, Britton was able to pacify the neighbor’s concerns. Following this interruption, Britton ensured the toddler was unharmed and took the child back to Hood’s mother. On realizing later that Hood was still showing signs of life, he inflicted multiple stab wounds on her. Her body was subsequently moved from the residence around 3 AM, discarded over a barrier, and later hidden under foliage.
Moreover, the warrant specifies that, in addition to the murder charge, Britton is being charged with making a terroristic threat to a family or household member. He remains in confinement at Smith County Jail, with his bail determined at $1.05 million.
