The Commission on Capital Cases updates thisinformation regularly. This information; however, is subject to changeand may not reflect the latest status of an inmate’s case and should not berelied 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 – AssistantPublic Defender
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: TBA
Date ofOffense: 06/11/03
Date of Sentence: 03/31/06
Circumstances of Offense:
Dwight Eaglin was convicted andsentenced to death for the murders of Darla Lathremand Charles Fuston.
In June of 2003, Eaglin wasserving a life sentence at Charlotte Correctional Institution. Earlier thatyear the institution had begun a renovation of the inmates’ dormitories. DwightEaglin, Michael Jones, and Stephen Smith were part ofa group of inmates assigned to work on the renovation project.
Two inmates, Kenneth Lykins andJesse Baker, testified that they overheard Eaglin,Jones, and Smith planning an escape. The three inmates constructed an escapeladder and a metal tool that would hook onto the prison’s outer lights, but thetool was destroyed in May of 2003. Eaglin blamed twoinmates, 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, andCharles Fuston to A-dorm to work on the plumbing. Theinmates were left under the supervision of correctional officer Darla Lathrem. At 8:30 p.m. the master roster count was conductedand correctional officer Lathrem accounted for allfive inmates.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., an alarm was triggered on theperimeter 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 wasdiscovered in a mop closet. Her body was in a fetal position and she hadinjuries to her head area. A sledgehammer was lying next to her body. InmateCharles Fuston was discovered lying in a cell. He wasunconscious, but breathing, and was bleeding from his head. Inmate John Beaston was found in a cell, conscious, with a large headwound. Beaston was the only surviving member of theattacks.
Dr. Imami, the medical examiner,testified that brain and skull injuries caused Lathrem’sdeath. The cause of these injuries was blunt force trauma. Dr. Imami testified that she believed the recovered sledgehammercaused the injuries.
Dr. Imami also examined Fuston’s body. Imami testifiedthat Fuston’s death was caused by blunt force traumato the head. Imami testified that the trauma wascaused by a hammer.
Lathrem’s DNA was found on thesledgehammer near her body. Both Lathrem’s and Fuston’s DNA were found on the pants Eaglinwore on the day of the murders. Lathrem’s DNA wasalso found on one of Eaglin’s boots and on one ofSmith’s shoes.
Codefendant Information:
Stephen Smith was convicted of first-degree murder on06/23/06 and sentenced to death on 08/18/06. Michael Jones pled guilty tofirst-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 – 3.851Motion
CC#03-1525
(Pending)
01/05/11 Motionfiled
Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition ofSentence:
Eaglin’s direct appeal was pendingfor over three years.
Case Information:
On 04/21/06, Eaglin filed a directappeal in the Florida Supreme Court. This appeal was denied on 06/04/09.
On 01/05/11, Eaglin filed a 3.851motion in the state Circuit Court. That motion is pending.
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Report Date: 06/09/09 KLH
Approved: 06/10/09 KLH
Updated: 04/26/11 JJK