DEFENDANT FOUND GUILTY OF BATTERING ELDERLY VICTIMS AFTER CLAIMING SELF-DEFENSE
(Lake County, FL) Tuesday, April 22, 2025, jurors returned a guilty verdict inthe case against 55-year-old Darin Kirkpatrick Starks, who was charged withtwo counts of Battery on a Person 65 years of Age or Older. The victims were70 and 72 years old. Starks was remanded into custody to await his sentencinghearing.
Back in April of 2024, an elderly victim contacted the Clermont PoliceDepartment and stated they had just been attacked by a friend, lateridentified as the defendant. The victim told authorities that Starks washomeless, and they allowed him to come to their home from time to time ifthere was inclement weather.
The victim further told deputies that when Starks would come over, theynoticed items going missing. When the victim confronted the defendant aboutthis, they began to argue. and Starks pushed the victim. During the physicalaltercation, a roommate of the victim attempted to intervene when Starks alsobegan attacking them.
The physical confrontation moved out to the backyard, where Starks continuedto hit and kick both victims. The first victim was able to run away andcontact law enforcement. In doing so, Starks took off from the location withofficers eventually locating him a short time later down the road.When questioned about the battery on both victims, Starks stated he becameupset after being accused of stealing and felt that the two victims weregetting in his face. He admitted to pushing, punching, and kicking the victims.
This case was diligently prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys La ToyaJackson and Chelsey Omega.
