Defendant Waives Right to Preliminary Hearing

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 25, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During a preliminary hearing June 24, a murder defendant signed a waiver to not have a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing establishes a reasonable belief that a crime was committed and the defendant had some part in that crime. 

Deontae “Tay” Britton is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 25-year-old Dawud Debruhl on the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW on March 14. 

Surveillance footage shows the victim standing with two other individuals in the general vecinity of the murder. 

The footage also shows Britton, 26, approach Debruhl from behind and shoot him in the back. The other two individuals on the video are seen running from the crime scene. Britton fled down an alley east of the scene. 

Britton was arrested on March 29. During an interrogation with homicide detectives, Britton said he was “beefing” with some individuals from the Columbia Heights neighborhood because they were allegedly threatening his friends. 

Britton also told detectives that he approached a group of individuals in hopes of having a verbal conversation. He said he saw Debruhl reach towards his waistline, so he pulled out his gun and shot the victim. 

According to court documents, a witness provided a picture of the suspect who they referred to as “Tay.” The witness said that “Tay” was involved in the homicide. 

A felony status conference is scheduled on July 5.