Judge Denies Plea Deal in Sentencing of Homicide Defendant

By Sadie Herman [former] - January 8, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Jan. 5, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe  denied a guilty plea deal for a homicide defendant, claiming the crime requires a stronger sentence. 

Dreaun Young, 19, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the shooting of 26-year-old Michael Brittingham on Aug. 6, 2020, on the 600 block of 46th Street, SE.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) located and arrested Young in Hollywood, California for an ongoing rape case, before later finding out that he was wanted for a murder charge in the District. He was extradited to DC on Sept. 20, 2022.

According to court documents, Young and Brittingham knew each other from around the neighborhood, and had become friends. According to witnesses from the night of the incident, there was a dispute between them about money. Brittingham allegedly sold drugs in the area and Young owed him money. According to the documents, the shooting occurred outside of an ice cream truck, in a public place.  

On Aug. 21, 2023, Young accepted a plea offer extended by prosecutors, which required he plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges in connection to the killing. The parties agreed on a sentencing range of 7-and-a-half to 11 years incarceration. 

During the sentencing hearing, Judge O’Keefe  considered and denied Young’s plea deal, stating that something about this case is more ominous than initially appears. He further argued that the first two shots may have been voluntary manslaughter, but that the other seven shots were first-degree murder, and Young’s actions required more time incarcerated.. 

Judge O’Keefe then informed the court that he was not accepting the plea deal, and argued that it would not effectively fit the crime. 

Prior to Judge O’Keefe’s denial, the prosecution characterized this crime as “an act of anger, someone who lost control, and could have taken numerous other lives,” arguing the incident occurred in broad daylight. They followed by calling up members of Brittinghams’s family to make statements to the court. 

The first person to make a statement was Brittingham’s brother, who emotionally expressed that “Michael always had a smile on his face no matter what he was doing”. Brittingham’s aunt followed with her statement, saying “the sad part is that when you get shot in the back, but you turn around to see who’s holding the smoking gun, it’s worse”.

This in reference to the relationship that Young and Brittingham had, which was described as Brittingham taking Young under his wing. According to Brittingham’s family, Young and Brittingham were close friends. 

Then Brittingham’s sister emotionally addressed the defendant. She said “You know that Michael Brittingham loved you and cared for you”, and “I want you to think in your mind how it feels to take a sibling away”. 

Brittingham’s mother then addressed the defendant and the court in her statement. “You made one heck of an impact on my life,” she told Young, adding  “I don’t think 11 years is remotely enough time…your soul belongs to Michael.”

She added, “When you close your eyes you see Michael too”, “you felt no remorse”, and “He will be remembered”. 

Then, Young’s defense attorney, Dana Page, explained that Young had a very traumatic childhood, including the loss of his mother and living in an impoverished neighborhood. Page exclaimed that, “he regrets this deeply”, and insisted Young grew up in a “cycle of hell”. 

Page explained further that Young became trapped in the cycle, and that the “regret he has for what happened is real”. She further referenced his criminal history score of zero, past trauma, and that he has learned a lot in jail. She asked the court to accept the plea deal and sentence Young to 7-and-a-half-years. 

In addition to Page’s pleadings, Young made a statement to the court himself, saying “I truly do apologize”, and “However I am sentenced, I’ll accept it”, saying “I am truly sorry from the top of my heart and my mind”. 

Folllowing Judge O’Keefe’s denial of the plea agreement, defense counsel requested additional time to discuss the decision with Young.

The parties are expected to reconvene on Jan. 26.