Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) – The case of a man on a murder trial following his 2023 fentanyl death has plagued ju judges.
The Altwain Carlisle incident was declared misunderstood on Wednesday.
The victim’s mother says that eight people on your side are in that courtroom, and that it’s emotional and extremely stressful for her and her whole family. She said she had booked her previous flight home after the mistries trial was declared.
Tiffany Thompson flew from Michigan to Tampa and fought for justice for his son, Dern Hogan.
“We had to endure the entire exam. All the medical inspectors’ testimonies, photos, details, and now we have to start over and do it again. It’s never finished,” Thompson said.
She said the hang judges came down to one ju judge.
“As his mother, I knew this wasn’t easy, but I was ready to go down here and find some sort of solution, and now we just have to start from scratch,” she said.
Her son, Dern, was found dead in a Tampa home in 2023 after detectives said they unconsciously took fentanyl after a drug deal.
“Now he is merely a memory for one man’s choice. He not only gave him fentanyl and killed him, but he also gave us all the destruction and pain of us,” Thompson said.
In addition to the murder charge in this case, Altwain Carlisle is facing another trial to traffic fentanyl.
“The detectives found his son’s phone dead and after doing controlled shopping they arrested him.
Carlis pleaded not guilty to human trafficking and murder.
Now the judge needs to set a different date for the mistial, and Thompson said she shows up every time for her child.
“He is my son and if I have to endure this pain again, if I have to ensure that he will justice and protect people from dying in the future, that’s what I do,” she said.
Carlisle’s lawyer, Alex R. Stabrow, sent us a statement regarding the ju-decision.
The court declared misinformation in the lawsuit regarding the tragic death of Dern Hogan after the ju judges were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
From the beginning, I and Tatum Pope argue that the case raised serious questions about the cause of death, the investigation process and reliability of the forensic conclusions presented by the state. The disagreement from the ju judge reflects obvious reasonable doubts throughout this trial. This includes the lack of clear evidence linking Carlisle’s specific actions to Hogan’s death.
Our role as a defense is not to hold you accountable, but to ensure that all facts are investigated, all leads continue and that the client receives full protection of the due process. The inability for the ju apprentice to reach a unanimous verdict highlights the need for more clarity and integrity in the research process, especially when life and freedom are at stake. Mr. Carlisle and I respect the ju judge’s time and thoughtful deliberations. Their department confirms that we discussed from the beginning. This case is not as clear as it was depicted.
Mr. Hogan’s death is undoubtedly tragic and our sympathy remains in his family. However, justice also requires fair trials, an impartial review of evidence, and protection of the defendant’s constitutional rights. We are ready to continue our advocacy against further procedures and will challenge an attempt to retry this case without stronger evidence and complete investigation. Mr. Carly has always maintained his innocence, and I will continue to fight the same way.
We urge our citizens to withhold judgment and remember that misconduct is neither conviction nor guilt. This reflects a system designed to protect the presumption of innocence when doubt exists.
Alex R. Stavrou, Esquire
Carlisle’s trial on drug trafficking charges begins in early September.
