An Alabama man has been sentenced to life in prison after carrying out a brutal claw hammer attack on his former girlfriend, leaving her with life-changing injuries and permanent blindness in one eye.
The shocking domestic violence case has drawn widespread attention after the survivor bravely shared her story and urged other victims not to give up seeking help.
Latarius Dale was convicted of first-degree domestic violence by a jury in Houston County last week. On May 21, a judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the violent February 2025 attack on his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Moulton.
Moulton was present in court during sentencing and later said she finally felt justice had been served after surviving the horrifying assault.
Attack Happened After Breakup
According to Brittany Moulton, the attack happened after she completely cut off communication with Dale following the end of their relationship.
She said she blocked him from contacting her and made it clear the relationship was over. According to Moulton, Dale became angry because he no longer had control over her life or knew where she was.
Prosecutors said Dale later broke into Moulton’s home in Lovetown and attacked her with a claw hammer while dressed in black.
Moulton recalled hearing footsteps inside the house moments before the assault began. She described the terrifying moment as one of her worst fears becoming reality.
Authorities said Dale repeatedly struck her in the head, face, and chest more than two dozen times until she lost consciousness.
Victim Suffered Permanent Injuries
The brutal attack left Moulton with devastating physical injuries that permanently changed her life.
She later revealed that doctors had to place a metal plate inside her head after the assault. She was also left with severe scarring across her scalp after suffering major head wounds.
One of her retinas was torn during the attack, leaving her permanently blind in her right eye.
Despite her severe injuries, Moulton managed to leave the house and attempt to get help from a nearby neighbour. She later collapsed outside after knocking on a neighbour’s door.
Moulton emotionally recalled believing she heard God telling her to get outside so she could survive the attack.
She was eventually discovered lying in the yard the next morning and rushed for medical treatment.
Previous Domestic Violence Case
Court records also revealed that Dale had previously been arrested in 2023 on a third-degree domestic violence charge involving another alleged incident connected to Moulton.
However, at the time, Moulton asked the judge to drop the charges because the couple shared children together.
She later admitted she believed they might eventually fix their relationship and continue raising their children as a family.
Looking back now, Moulton said she regrets returning to the relationship after the earlier warning signs.
She officially ended the relationship in November 2024, just three months before the violent hammer attack occurred.
Moulton Speaks Out for Other Victims
Following Dale’s sentencing, Moulton said she hopes her story encourages other domestic violence victims to seek help and remain strong.
She stressed that there are always resources and support systems available for people trapped in abusive relationships.
Moulton said she now wants to use her experience to become a voice for survivors and help others understand they do not have to face ab*se alone.
Her emotional statements after the sentencing have received strong support online, with many praising her courage for surviving the attack and speaking publicly about domestic violence.
Life Sentence Handed Down
Latarius Dale will now spend life in prison after the Houston County jury found him guilty of the violent assault.
Although he remains eligible for parole in the future, the sentence marks a major legal victory for Moulton after months of recovery, surgeries, and emotional trauma.
