Third defendant sentenced in robbery, beating death
A third defendant has been sentenced in the August 2020 robbery and beating death of a Terre Haute man.
Richard E. Durbin, 47, of Terre Haute was sentenced Friday to 16 years total, with 10 years to be served in prison and six years suspended. He is to receive credit for 958 days served.
Court records show Durbin pleaded guilty to robbery resulting in personal injury as a Level 3 felony. As a result of the plea agreement, charges of murder, armed robbery, aggravated battery and battery were dismissed.
Judge Sarah Mullican issued sentence in Vigo County Superior Court 3.
Dwayne French of Terre Haute was attacked Aug. 21, 2020, at his residence in the 1300 block of Ash Street. French told police he’d been beaten with a ball bat and his wallet was taken, but then he lost consciousness.
His assailants made off with about $1,500.
French was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis because of the severity of his injuries. He died Sept. 2, 2020.
Two other defendants have been sentenced, and one awaits trial.
Awaiting trial is Jesse James Hess, 37, of Terre Haute. He faces murder, robbery and battery charges and is scheduled for a jury trial Aug. 12 in Vigo Superior Court 6, Judge Michael Lewis presiding.
Previously sentenced were:
• Dwight D. Brown, 31, of Utah and formerly of Terre Haute. He pleaded guilty in October 2023 to robbery resulting in serious bodily injury as a Level 2 felony. Judge Lewis sentenced Brown to 30 years, 27 years of those years to be executed and three years on formal probation.
• Candace B. Jones, 25, of Terre Haute. She had previously pleaded guilty to robbery resulting in serious bodily injury as a Level 2 felony. Judge Mullican in August 2023 sentenced Jones to 25 years, with 20 years to be executed and five years suspended.
