Britt, Willis Jail Rape, Torture Trial Postponed For Evaluation

Britt
Britt

FAYETTEVILLE -- Two men accused of raping and torturing another inmate at the Washington County jail will not be tried Monday.

Javaughntaiye Willis, 21, and J'Donta Britt, 18, are charged with accomplice to rape, accomplice to sexual assault, accomplice to battery and terroristic threatening.

Britt's case has been reset to June 17. Willis is awaiting a mental examination and his trial hasn't been reset.

Sheriff Tim Helder said the attack took place "off and on" during a 16-hour time frame Dec. 12 and 13.

Willis and Britt tortured the man by slapping, punching, kicking, elbowing, kneeing and using "edged weapons" to cut him, according to a police report. They used their jail-issued sandals to strike him and threatened to cut off his pinky finger if he didn't comply or if he reported the abuse to authorities.

Britt held the victim's hands and beat him while Willis forced the victim to perform oral sex, according to the report.

Detectives found evidence corroborating the inmate's statement and injuries, according to the report. They also got a statement from a witness who corroborated the victim's statement and evidence recovered by detectives. Willis and Britt had injuries consistent with an altercation, according to a police report.

Investigators learned about the attack after a jailer noticed a cut above the victim's eye. Helder said the victim was treated at the jail for minor injuries. The victim initially denied anything happened but later told investigators about the attack, Helder said.

Willis is also awaiting trial on felony aggravated robbery and terroristic threatening charges. Willis is accused of holding a machete to a taxi driver's throat and robbed him July 19 on Betty Jo Drive, according to Fayetteville police.

In 2011, Willis was sentenced to jail and probation after police said he shot his grandmother's dog. Willis pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty and first-degree terroristic threatening in that case.

Britt is also awaiting trial on felony commercial burglary and theft of property charges. Britt is accused of stealing $130,000 in electronics from Butterfield Trail Elementary School on Dec. 25, according to police.

NW News on 04/12/2014

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