An Alabama woman who survived a brutal claw hammer attack by her ex-boyfriend says she hopes her story encourages other domestic violence victims to seek help and never give up.
A Houston County jury found Latarius Dale guilty of first-degree domestic violence after prosecutors said he broke into Brittany Moulton’s home and attacked her repeatedly with a claw hammer following their breakup.
Alabama Man Sentenced After Violent Hammer Attack
Latarius Dale was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole on May 21 after being convicted in connection with the February 2025 attack.
According to reports, Brittany Moulton was present in court during sentencing and became emotional as the judge announced the punishment.
After the hearing, Moulton said she felt justice had finally been served and hoped her experience could inspire other abuse victims to stay strong and seek support.
Victim Says Ex Could Not Accept Breakup
Moulton explained that she had ended the relationship and completely blocked Dale from contacting her before the attack happened.
She said Dale struggled with losing control after the breakup and became angry when he could no longer reach her or know where she was.
According to Moulton, she believes his frustration and assumptions about her personal life led to the violent attack.
Attack Left Victim Seriously Injured
Prosecutors said Dale allegedly broke into Moulton’s home in Lovetown and attacked her while dressed in black.
Moulton recalled hearing footsteps before seeing a dark figure enter her home. She described the moment as one of her biggest fears becoming reality.
Authorities said Dale struck her more than two dozen times with a claw hammer, targeting her:
- Head
- Face
- Chest
The attack continued until she lost consciousness.
Woman Left With Permanent Injuries
The brutal assault caused life-changing injuries for Moulton.
She later revealed she now has:
| Injury | Impact |
|---|---|
| Metal plate in head | Permanent medical damage |
| Severe head wounds | Extensive scarring |
| Torn retina | Blindness in right eye |
Moulton said doctors had to stitch her head from ear to ear following the attack.
She also shared that she can no longer see anything from her right eye because of the damage caused during the assault.
Victim Says Faith Helped Save Her Life
After regaining consciousness, Moulton said she somehow managed to leave her home and seek help despite her injuries.
She emotionally recalled hearing a voice telling her to get outside. Believing it was God guiding her, she walked to a neighbour’s house and tried knocking on the door before collapsing in the yard.
She was reportedly discovered the following morning.
Previous Domestic Violence Charge Was Dropped
Court records showed Dale had previously faced a domestic violence charge involving Moulton in 2023.
However, Moulton admitted she had asked a judge to drop the earlier charge because the couple shared children and she hoped the relationship could improve.
She said at the time she believed they could eventually “get it together.”
Moulton officially ended the relationship in November 2024, just months before the attack happened.
Victim Encourages Others to Seek Help
Following the sentencing, Moulton used her story to encourage other victims of domestic abuse to reach out for support and resources.
She stressed that help is always available and urged people in dangerous relationships not to stay silent.
Her case has drawn attention online, with many praising her courage for surviving the attack and speaking publicly about domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Awareness Remains Important
The case highlights the dangers many victims face after leaving abusive relationships. Experts often warn that violence can sometimes escalate when an abuser loses control over a partner.
Advocates continue encouraging victims to seek help through shelters, hotlines, trusted family members, and law enforcement when facing threats or abuse.
Brittany Moulton’s survival story is being seen by many as both heartbreaking and inspiring. Despite suffering devastating injuries and permanent vision loss, she continues speaking out in hopes of helping others escape abusive situations before violence turns deadly. Her message remains clear — victims are not alone, and support is available for those willing to ask for help.
