The Commission on Capital Cases updates this information regularly. This information; however, is subject to change and may not reflect the latest status of an inmate’s case and should not be relied upon for statistical or legal purposes.
EAGLIN, Dwight (W/M)
DC# 166224
DOB: 12/23/75
Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Charlotte County Case #03-1525
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable William Blackwell
Attorney, Trial: Douglas R. Withee – Assistant Public Defender
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Robert F. Moeller – Assistant Public Defender
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: TBA
Date of Offense: 06/11/03
Date of Sentence: 03/31/06
Circumstances of Offense:
Dwight Eaglin was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders of Darla Lathrem and Charles Fuston.
In June of 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 surviving member 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.
Codefendant Information:
Stephen Smith was convicted of first-degree murder on 06/23/06 and sentenced to death on 08/18/06. Michael Jones pled guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence.
Prior Incarceration History in the State of Florida:
|
Offense Date |
Offense |
Sentence Date |
County |
Case Number |
Prison Sentence Length |
|
2/27/1998 |
First-Degree Murder |
01/10/01 |
Pinellas |
980483 |
Life |
Trial Summary:
12/03/03 Indicted as follows:
Count I: First-Degree Murder (Lathrem)
Count II: First-Degree Murder (Fuston)
02/24/06 Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment
02/27/06 Jury recommended death by a vote of 8-4
03/31/06 Sentenced as follows:
Count I: First-Degree Murder (Lathrem) – Death
Count II: First-Degree Murder (Fuston) – Death
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal
FSC# 06-760
04/21/06 Appeal filed
06/04/09 Appeal denied
10/08/09 Rehearing denied
10/27/09 Mandate issued
Circuit Court – 3.851
Motion
CC#03-1525
(Pending)
01/05/11 Motion filed
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
Report Date: 06/09/09 KLH
Approved: 06/10/09 KLH
Updated: 04/26/11 JJK