Dwayne Cummings receives three life sentences for double murder, kidnapping

Dwayne Cummings was found guilty by a Manatee County jury Friday night of the 2016 kidnapping and murder of Jordan Finlon and Karl Tuxford and sentenced to three life terms in prison.

The jury reached the verdict at about 8 p.m. after deliberating for seven hours.

Cummings was found guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Tuxford. He was found guilty of the lesser charge of second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Finlon. The jury also found him guilty of armed kidnapping.

Members of the victims’ families had the opportunity to make statements before Circuit Judge Hunter Carroll sentenced Cummings.

Nicole Teeter, Finlon’s eldest sister, spoke on behalf of her family, describing the devastating loss they had suffered. She clutched her little sister’s childhood teddy bear as she spoke, holding back sobs at times.

Cummings deserved to have his life taken away the way he took others, she said.

“I know that’s not possible but life in prison,” Teeter said. “I don’t want him to hurt anyone else every again.”

Teeter, of Wisconsin, said her family feared they would not be accepted by Tuxford’s family when they flew in for the trial.

“Jordan, was not the best person, we don’t think she was a saint,” Teeter said humbly. “She had a drug problem that we had tried to address for years and years. We tried everything.”

Both families had grown, she said, throughout the trial.

“We felt beyond devastated that the decisions she made also took someone else’s life,” Teeter said sobbing. “Jordan and Karl were amazing people as well. They just made bad decisions, decisions that no one should lose their life over.”

Tuxford’s sister, his only sibling, Mia Hargrove, also took the stand.

“My brother’s death devastated us,” Hargrove said with her voice wavering as she struggled to contain her emotions.

Hargrove also admitted her brother’s shortcomings, but said, “He had a heart of gold.”

“The actions of Mr. Cummings actions on January 19, affected not just my family, it affected Jordan’s family, it’s affected his family, his children’s lives, my children’s lives,” Hargrove said. “I walk out of here and I am glad he’s not seeing the light of day, trust me. But I am so sad for his momma, for his babies.”

The emotion in her grew in her voice as she concluded, “God I can’t look at him, but I hope he knows what he’s created on January 19.”

Tuxford’s mother, Denise Tuxford, recalled the day of her son’s death as she read from a prepared statement.

“That morning when he left our house, he drove away smiling and waving,” Tuxford said.

Tuxford said she stood outside with her then 2-year-old grandson waving goodbye as the toddler blew a kiss and said, “Bye Uncle Karl.”

Before being sentenced, Cummings did not speak but asked that defense attorney, Lily Gonzalez, make a statement to Finlon’s family to say he was sorry for their loss, adding that she had been his friend and had tried to help her.

Cummings’ father, Dwayne Cummings Sr., was the only person to speak on his behalf.

“I think tonight, everybody lost in here,” the senior Cummings said. “You’re lost on that side, and we are lost as well.”

Cummings Sr., retired from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, directed his statement to the prosecutor. Cummings Sr. said it was impossible that the two other individuals present during the murders just stood by and weren’t involved. To his son, he said he would pray for him and wished him the best.

“His prior record is atrocious,” Assistant State Attorney Art Brown before the judge ruled. “He has exhausted all possibilities for redemption in this lifetime.”

Outside the courthouse, Brown said that he was pleased with the verdict.

“Justice was served,” Brown said. “This has been a long time coming. ... We’re very grateful for the jury’s hard work.”

Bradenton Police Detective James Curulla echoed Brown’s sentiments, saying he was pleased the jury was able to see the facts and evidence as they were presented. The case was also a testament to the work of the Manatee County Homicide Investigative Unit, he said.

“We had two homicides in two different jurisdictions at the same time, and we worked seamlessly.”

Just before 1 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2016, Bradenton police officers found Tuxford, 38, dead, in his Jeep when they responded to reports of a shooting in the 1100 block of Eighth Avenue East. He had been shot five times, including at least once in the head.

Less than an hour later, the Manatee deputies were called to Bishop Harbor Road in Terra Ceia Preserve State Park in northern Manatee County after getting a call from motorists who spotted Finlon’s body when they drove past. She had been stabbed more than 40 times.

The Manatee County Homicide Investigative Unit quickly connected the two slayings, which they say were in retaliation for a burglary at Cummings’ home. According to testimony, Cummings killed Finlon and Tuxford for taking a safe with drugs and money from his home.

Tuxford and Finlon, both struggling with addiction, were lured to their brutal deaths with the promise of heroin, according to testimony.

The jury of 14, which included two alternates who had been dismissed, listened to attorneys’ closing arguments Friday morning and were later instructed by the judge.

This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Dwayne Cummings receives three life sentences for double murder, kidnapping."