Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties
Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties

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DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR BATTERY & BURGLARY CASE

(Lake County, FL) In the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Cary F. Rada, jurors found 28-year-old Dayzha Duncan guilty of Battery, Burglary of a Dwelling, Petit Theft, and Assault. Duncan was sentenced to 10 years in prison following this guilty verdict.

Duncan was arrested in March of 2022 following a Leesburg Police Department investigation after the victim contacted law enforcement to report a battery that had just occurred.

When officials arrived on scene, the victim indicated that they had just been battered by an individual, later identified as Duncan. The victim stated they heard a knock at the door and went to open it. In doing so, Duncan forcefully pushed open the door and entered the residence along with another subject.

Once inside, the victim told authorities that Duncan began to strike them, before pulling them down to the floor and kicking them in the stomach. At one point, Duncan even snatched the gold necklace the victim was wearing before fleeing the residence.

The victim informed officers that they were familiar with Duncan from a prior falling out. During the investigation, it was discovered that Duncan’s accompanying subject had video-recorded the incident. The victim obtained a copy of the video and supplied it to investigators. The video depicted the entire incident as recounted by the victim.

Senior Detective Abston was assigned the case to investigate further. After reviewing the evidence and statements collected, an arrest warrant was issued for Duncan who was later arrested in Georgia.

“The defendant’s actions were nothing short of reprehensible. It’s disgraceful to attack anyone, but over a trivial dispute shows a shocking lack of regard for human life,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Despite going through this horrifying ordeal, the victim was adept enough to relay crucial information to officials which led to the defendant’s arrest and successful prosecution of this case.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Rachel Jones and Chelsey Omega.

Published on 11/07/2024.