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Thread: Dwight Thomas Eaglin - Florida

  1. #1
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    Dwight Thomas Eaglin - Florida


    Darla Kay Lathrem




    Summary of Offense:

    Dwight Eaglin was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders of Darla Lathrem and Charles Fuston. In June 2003, Eaglin was serving a life sentence at Charlotte Correctional Institution. Earlier that year, the institution had begun a renovation of the inmates’ dormitories. Dwight Eaglin, Michael Jones, and Stephen Smith were part of a group of inmates assigned to work on the renovation project. Two inmates, Kenneth Lykins and Jesse Baker, testified that they overheard Eaglin, Jones, and Smith planning an escape. The three inmates constructed an escape ladder and a metal tool that would hook onto the prison’s outer lights, but the tool was destroyed in May of 2003. Eaglin blamed two inmates, Charles Fuston and John Beaston, for destroying the tool.

    On June 11, 2003, correctional officer Mary Polisco transported inmates Dwight Eaglin, Stephen Smith, Michael Jones, John Beaston, and Charles Fuston to A-dorm to work on the plumbing. The inmates were left under the supervision of correctional officer Darla Lathrem. At 8:30 p.m. the master roster count was conducted and correctional officer Lathrem accounted for all five inmates. At approximately 9:30 p.m., an alarm was triggered on the perimeter fence behind A-dorm. Correctional officers observed Eaglin attempting to climb on the fence. Eaglin was sprayed with chemical agents and subdued. Correctional officer Darla Lathrem’s body was discovered in a mop closet. Her body was in a fetal position and she had injuries to her head area. A sledgehammer was lying next to her body. Inmate Charles Fuston was discovered lying in a cell. He was unconscious, but breathing, and was bleeding from his head. Inmate John Beaston was found in a cell, conscious, with a large head wound. Beaston was the only survivor of the attacks.

    Dr. Imami, the medical examiner, testified that brain and skull injuries caused Lathrem’s death. The cause of these injuries was blunt force trauma. Dr. Imami testified that she believed the recovered sledgehammer caused the injuries. Dr. Imami also examined Fuston’s body. Imami testified that Fuston’s death was caused by blunt force trauma to the head. Imami testified that the trauma was caused by a hammer. Lathrem’s DNA was found on the sledgehammer near her body. Both Lathrem’s and Fuston’s DNA were found on the pants Eaglin wore on the day of the murders. Lathrem’s DNA was also found on one of Eaglin’s boots and on one of Smith’s shoes.

    Eaglin was sentenced to death in Charlotte County on March 31, 2006.

    Co-defendant information:
    Stephen Smith was convicted of first-degree murder on June 23, 2006 and sentenced to death on August 18, 2006. For more on Smith, see: http://www.cncpunishment.com/forums/...rida-Death-Row

    Michael Jones pled guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence.

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    June 5, 2009

    Death sentence upheld for convicted Charlotte corrections officer killer

    The Florida Supreme Court today upheld the death sentence of Dwight Eaglin, who was convicted in August 2006 of killing a Charlotte Correctional Institution corrections officer and inmate during an escape attempt in 2003.

    "We conclude that Eaglin's sentences are not disproportionate compared to other capital cases," the justices wrote in the 29-page opinion. "In this case, the defendant was directly responsible for the murder of 2 individuals and a vicious attack on a 3rd person. Weighty aggravation and insubstantial mitigation were found for both murders. Based on a comparison of the circumstances of this case with the above cases, we conclude that Eaglin’s death sentences are proportionate."

    Eaglin beat Darla Lathrem, 38, with a sledgehammer as he, Stephen Smith and Michael Jones tried to escape the maximum security prison.

    Eaglin was already serving a life sentence for an unrelated murder conviction. Smith was also sentenced to death in 2006 and justices have previously upheld his death sentence. Jones entered a guilty plea and is serving a life sentence.

    Lathrem was the 1st female corrections guard killed on duty in Florida. She graduated from Riverdale High School and lived in Fort Myers Shores at the time of her death.

    (Source: The News-Press)

  3. #3
    Senior Member CnCP Legend JLR's Avatar
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    Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition of Sentence:

    Eaglin’s direct appeal was pending for over three years.

    Case Information:

    On 04/21/06, Eaglin filed a direct appeal in the Florida Supreme Court. This appeal was denied on 06/04/09.

    On 01/05/11, Eaglin filed a 3.851 motion in the state Circuit Court. That motion is pending.

  4. #4
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    Charlotte County murderer appeals to get off death row

    Dwight Eaglin was sentenced to death in 2006 for killing prison guard Darla Lathrem and inmate Charles Fuston in an attempted escape. Eaglin was behind bars at the time, serving a life sentence for a 1998 murder. Now, one of Charlotte County's most notorious killers has returned to court. Eaglin will be appearing in front of circuit judge Christine Greider all week for an evidentiary hearing presenting testimony that his lawyers hope will land him a new trial.

    Eaglin's attorney William Hennis presented judge Grieder with testimony from Eaglins older brother Kennith about how the two were abuse by their father when they were young. “The jury never heard any of the information about Dwight Eaglins mental illnesses, his bipolar disorder, his tragic family life of abuse,” said Hennis. Kennith Eaglin is a twenty year veteran of the U.S. Navy with a rank of Chief Petty Officer. The Older Eaglin traveled to Punta Gorda from Northfolk Virginia to testify on behalf of his brother. The seasoned sailor broke down while telling the court how their father beat them to the point of breaking one of Dwights legs. He even made the children fight each other for his amusement. “He would make Tommy and Jimmy fight me and whoever lost got a spanking,” Eaglin sobbed as he sat on the witness stand.

    The one thing missing today was Dwight Eaglin's characteristic grin that became a talking point during his many court appearances. Something his own attorney says is a sign of his mental instability. “One of the problems with people who have a serious psychiatric disorder like bipolar disorder is they have periods when they are manic and they have periods when they are depressive,” said Hennis. As the older Eaglin finished his testimony, he had one request for the judge. He asked to be able to touch his brother. Judge Grieder deferred the question to the court bailiff who declined the request. Eaglin's attorneys say that optimally they would like to see a whole new trial for Dwight but they will settle for a new penalty phase where they want to get his sentence reduced from death to life.

    Steven Smith and Mike Jones were also convicted in the murders. Smith was also given the death sentence but Jones received life in prison after pleading guilty to the charges.

    http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florid...-off-death-row

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    DWIGHT T. EAGLIN vs. THE STATE OF FLORIDA and DWIGHT T. EAGLIN vs. JULIE L. JONES,
    etc.


    In today's opinions, the Florida Supreme Court DENIED Eaglin's motion for postconviction relief, and DENIED his petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
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    Death row inmate's appeal rejected in CCI guard's murder

    TALLAHASSEE, FL (THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA) - The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an appeal by a man sentenced to death in the 2003 murder of a Charlotte Correctional Institution guard.

    Inmate Dwight Eaglin argued, at least in part, that he received "ineffective" legal representation during his trial and during sentencing.

    But justices unanimously ruled against Eaglin, who was convicted of killing correctional officer Darla Lathrem and another prisoner, Charles Fuston, during a foiled escape attempt.

    The appeal included arguments that Eaglin's attorneys should have raised issues about his diagnosis of bipolar disorder and about abuse he suffered as a child.

    But the Supreme Court pointed to what are known as "aggravators," which are factors considered in determining whether murder defendants should receive the death penalty.

    "Even if counsel had presented testimony during the penalty phase that shed light on Eaglin's abusive childhood, his dysfunctional family, and that he suffered from mental health disorders, our confidence in the outcome of the penalty phase would not be undermined when viewed in the context of the penalty phase evidence and the mitigators and aggravators found by the trial court,'' the Supreme Court opinion said.

    Eaglin, now 39, is on Death Row at Florida State Prison near Starke.

    http://www.abc-7.com/story/29409237/...-guards-murder

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    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On July 31, 2015, Eaglin filed a habeas petition in Federal District Court.

    https://dockets.justia.com/docket/fl...cv00461/313360

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    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Death penalty cases in limbo pending Florida Supreme Court decision

    By Anne Easker
    yoursun.com

    Two Charlotte County men scheduled to be re-sentenced under Florida’s new death penalty law may no longer have that chance.

    It all depends on the outcome of litigation before the Florida Supreme Court. The court is reconsidering whether the requirement of a unanimous jury to recommend a death sentence should be applied retroactively.

    “I guess the thinking was or is that it’s a different makeup now,” said Defense Attorney James Ermacora. “Since Gov. DeSantis has appointed three new justices that are more conservative, the belief is that maybe they’ll get a different result.”

    Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a 59-page brief in June on the appeal case of Duane Eugene Owen, arguing that the sentencing changes should be “prospective only,” or applying only to death penalty cases moving forward.

    Should the Florida Supreme Court agree the new law should not be applied to old cases, re-sentencings will be canceled for dozens of death row inmates.

    In Charlotte County, a status conference for Stephen V. Smith on Aug. 30 and his re-sentencing scheduled for October were both cancelled. His co-defendant, Dwight Eaglin, had not been scheduled for re-sentencing, but the state has requested an indefinite continuance on his case.

    Smith, 58, and Eaglin, 44, both received death sentences for the 2003 murders of fellow inmate Charles Fuston and correctional officer Darla Lathrem. Both men were serving life sentences at Charlotte Correctional Institution when they committed the murders during a botched escape attempt.

    In the penalty phase, a death sentence was recommended for Smith by a jury split 9-3. For Eaglin, the split was 8-4.

    In a motion to continue Smith’s re-sentencing, Assistant State Attorney Daniel Feinberg wrote, “Should the Florida Supreme Court decide the pending litigation in the favor of the State... the defendant would not be entitled to a re-sentencing, and the pending hearing set to begin October 13, 2019 would be unnecessary.”

    Kevin Shirley, who is defending Smith along with Ermacora, said both the defense and the state are ready to go when the decision is made.

    “Right now, we’re just treading water, waiting to find out whether we can do our job,” he said.

    Shirley and Ermacora both said the unanimous jury requirement should be applied to old cases.

    “Anybody on death row, sentenced to death without it being a unanimous jury recommendation, should get a new hearing,” Ermacora said. “It shouldn’t matter when you got that death penalty... My true feeling is there shouldn’t be a death penalty period. If there’s going to be one, certainly it should be a unanimous recommendation.”

    The attorneys hope in a new re-sentencing, they would achieve a similar or better outcome than the 9-3 split in Smith’s prior sentencing, though only one juror voting against the death penalty would be needed.

    “As long as you’ve got one, you win, unlike the old days,” Ermacora said. “It’s got to be unanimous. ... The judge can’t overrule it anymore, so as long as you get one.”

    It’s unclear when the Florida Supreme Court will make a decision on the issue. A status conference for Smith has been set for Nov. 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the Charlotte County Justice Center. Eaglin has a status conference on Jan. 24, 2020.

    https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/ne...266c70367.html
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  9. #9
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
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    Motion hearing scheduled in Charlotte County death penalty case

    By ABC7 Staff

    CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - A Charlotte County Death Penalty case goes before a judge on Thursday.

    12 motions will be presented in the Dwight Eaglin re-sentencing case. Eaglin was sentenced to death in 2006 following a trial convicting him and two other inmates with killing female guard, Darla Lathrem, and another inmate during a prison break.

    In recent years, the state ruled in order for someone to be sentenced to death, the jury had to vote unanimously. The jury wasn’t unanimous in Eaglin’s case. By law Eaglin needs to be re-sentenced for his crimes.

    Some of the motions being presented to the court will include, removing the death penalty from the new sentencing hearing, allowing felons to be on the jury and doing extensive bias screening of potential jurors.

    The other two inmates involved in the attempted prison break have both passed away in prison.

    Eaglin could be facing the death penalty or life in prison.

    https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/03/0...outputType=amp
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