A Smith County jury found Jamaurea Britton guilty of capital murder in the death of 18-year-old Dejah Hood.

Thursday's verdict settles guilt on the capital murder count. It does not settle punishment. KLTV reported the defense asked jurors to convict Britton of murder instead, arguing the evidence did not support kidnapping, the element that makes the case capital. The jury rejected that. The punishment phase began the same day, and the only two options left are life in prison without parole or death.

A Smith County jury found Jamaurea Jermaine Britton, 22, guilty of capital murder on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in the death of 18-year-old Dejah Hood, KLTV, CBS19 and the Tyler Morning Telegraph reported. Britton was charged with kidnapping and killing Hood in September 2023 at the Hollytree Apartments in Tyler. He had pleaded not guilty when the trial opened last week. The Tyler Morning Telegraph reported jurors took about 15 minutes to reach the verdict after seven days of testimony. They could have returned capital murder, murder, or not guilty.

KLTV reported both sides rested Thursday morning and the defense called no witnesses. In closing, Britton's attorneys asked jurors to find him guilty of murder rather than capital murder, arguing the evidence did not support kidnapping and that the case was not an abduction. Prosecutor Heath Chamness told jurors Britton "made sure she couldn't leave," and prosecutor Richard Vance said Britton "deceived her into going over there," KLTV reported. Deliberations began at 11:03 a.m.

During the State's case, KLTV reported, prosecutors said Hood was killed on Sept. 25, 2023, after Britton picked her up from her apartment that afternoon under the promise that she could have his car if she helped him move. Tyler police detectives testified about surveillance video, Flock camera hits, phone location data, and receipts, including for a knife prosecutors said was bought at a Walmart that day. Detectives also described Google searches recovered from Britton's phone in the days before and the hours after Hood's death, including searches about buying a gun, hiding a body, and cleaning blood. A detective testified he believed the killing was premeditated and not the "fit of rage" Britton described to police. Those were the State's evidence and arguments at trial. The jury's verdict is the finding.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Britton was presumed innocent through trial; Thursday's verdict is the jury's finding that the State proved capital murder beyond a reasonable doubt. KLTV reported the same jury will assess punishment, and the only sentences available on a Texas capital murder conviction in this posture are life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. CBS19 reported the sentencing phase began Thursday.