SARASOTA, Fla. (Court TV) — A Florida jury convicted a man accused of brutally murdering his adoptive parents and then trying to run from police.
Dima Tower, 24, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder as well as fleeing from police in the stabbing deaths of Jennifer and Robbie Tower. After hearing emotional victim statements immediately following the verdict, Dima was sentenced to two sentences of life in prison without parole, to be served consecutively. A sentence of five years for fleeing is to run concurrently with the second life sentence.
Dima Tower appears in court on Nov. 12, 2025, during his double murder trial. (Court TV)
Police were called to the Towers’ North Port, Florida, home on Aug. 31, 2023, after a 911 caller reported a woman banging on her door, screaming, “I need help!” Evidence presented at trial showed Tower, covered in blood, loading items into his car before allegedly ignoring officers’ commands and leading them on a chase across county lines.
Deputies with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deployed stop sticks to stop Tower’s vehicle, prompting him to flee into the woods. He was arrested the next morning at a gas station, where witnesses testified he appeared dazed, dirty and still wearing blood-stained clothing.
MORE | Dima Tower admits to brutal murder of adoptive parents in chilling testimony
Inside the home, investigators discovered Jennifer and Robbie lying head-to-head, face down, covered in blood. Crime-scene technicians testified about a trail of blood stretching from the master bedroom into the kitchen and living room, and medical examiners detailed the dozens of stab wounds inflicted on both victims.
Jurors also heard from a neighbor who recalled Jennifer pounding on her door and screaming for help, and from DNA analysts who matched blood found on two knives to the victims and the defendant. Tower later took the stand, emotionally admitting he “wasn’t thinking” when he attacked his parents.
Records obtained by Scripps News Fort Myers revealed Dima had a history of violence, dating back to 2018, when the victims called police to report that Dima had pushed Jennifer. In 2019, Robbie told police he wanted Dima removed from the home and said he slept with his door locked at night out of fear.
Dima was 14 years old when he was adopted by the couple from Ukraine in 2016.
TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 3 – 11/14/25
- LIVESTREAM: FL v. Dima Tower – Day 3 | Adopted Son Murder Trial
- The prosecution delivered closing arguments.
- The case fits first-degree murder, not lesser charges as requested by the defense.
- Key points of premeditation are discussed, emphasizing the defendant’s actions before, during and after the crime.
- Dima chose a knife from the kitchen and had time for reflective thought before committing the act.
- The number of stab wounds (79 to Jennifer and 68 to Robbie) suggests conscious guilt and premeditation.
- Dima attempted to wash the second knife and fled from the police for 30 minutes, indicating awareness of wrongdoing.
- Dima’s statements reflect his intent to kill; he planned and executed the crime deliberately.
- Evidence includes his confession and the circumstances surrounding his arrest, reinforcing the premeditated nature of the crime.
- The defense delivered its closing argument.
- The key question of whether Dima Tower consciously knew he was committing the acts.
- The jury is instructed to presume Tower’s innocence and to evaluate the reliability of the evidence.
- Emphasized the importance of understanding Tower’s perspective and mental state during the incident.
- Discussion of consciousness of guilt and how individual experiences vary.
- Encourages jurors to use common sense when considering the evidence and premeditation.
- Concerns were raised about potential language misunderstandings before Tower learned English.
- Urged the jury to deliver a verdict of manslaughter.
- Prosecution delivered a rebuttal closing argument.
- The defense did not provide evidence of the defendant’s experiences that could explain his actions during the crime.
- Defendant described his actions as driven by rage, which he had prior to committing the crime, indicating premeditation.
- The argument against the defense emphasizes that their claims should not sway the jury’s judgment, as the law applies equally to all individuals regardless of their background.
- Focus should remain on the facts of the case and the law.
- The jury began its deliberations.
- The jury reached its verdict, finding Dima Tower guilty of all charges.
- Emotional victim impact statements were read in court.
- Dima Tower was sentenced to two life sentences, without the chance of parole.
DAY 2 – 11/13/25
- LIVESTREAM: FL v. Dima Tower – Day 2 | Adopted Son Murder Trial
- Charlene Webster, FDLE DNA analyst
- Blood was found on both knives; it was identified as both Robbie and Dima Tower as contributors on the knives.
- Presence of a mixture, identified Dima Tower (61,000x more likely than two individuals) and Robbie Tower (700 billion times more likely).
- Received known samples from Dima, Jennifer and Robbie, as well as samples from the knife blade and handle taken by the North Port Police Department.
- Dr. Russell Vega, Sarasota County Chief Medical Examiner
- Performed the autopsies on Robbie and Jennifer Tower.
- Determined that Robbie Tower had 68 cutting wounds and more small superficial wounds.
- Stab wounds to the face, back, neck, scalp, left side, shoulder and arm
- Robbie died from bleeding from the wounds to the neck and major arteries.
- Jennifer Tower suffered 79 wounds.
- Jennifer had injuries to her face and neck.
- Both were lying face down when the wounds were inflicted
- The state rested its case.
- Dima Tower, Defendant
- Testified that his mother passed away when he was between 6 and 8. After her death, he was sent to live in an orphanage.
- He was adopted in 2015 by the Towers and spoke no English at the time.
- The jury was sent out of the courtroom when Tower was unable to control his emotions on the stand.
- Denied planning the attack, said he wasn’t thinking about anything when he stabbed his parents.
- Said he came from a “harsh environment,” and some people don’t know how to be parents.
- WATCH: Dima Tower Takes Stand In His Own Defense, Becomes Combative During Cross
- READ MORE: Dima Tower admits to brutal murder of adoptive parents in chilling testimony
- The defense rested its case.
DAY 1 – 11/12/25
- LIVESTREAM: FL v. Dima Tower – Day 1 | Adopted Son Murder Trial
- State’s opening statement delivered by Liana Whipple:
- WATCH: Prosecution: Dima Tower Was in ‘Rage’ During Adoptive Parents’ Death
- Argued Dima Tower attacked his parents as they slept with a steak knife from the kitchen.
- At some point during the attack, he lost the first knife and retrieved a second knife before continuing to stab Robbie Tower.
- Jennifer Tower tried to defend her husband, but was attacked and fled to a neighbor’s home, where Dima forced her back, and made her sit on the couch and listen before he stabbed her multiple times.
- Dima attempted to clean up the scene and then fled, ultimately leading police on an eight-hour chase.
- When asked by detectives what happened the night before, he answered, “rage.”
- Argued Dima Tower attacked his parents as they slept with a steak knife from the kitchen.
- Defense attorney Marc Gilman told the jury Dima was put in foster care in Urkanie because his parents didn’t “want to deal with him,” and he was adopted by the Towers in 2016.
- WATCH: Defense: Find Tower ‘Guilty of Manslaughter’ in Adoptive Parents’ Deaths
- During the defense’s opening statement, the court took a brief break after the defendant audibly broke down.
- Asked the jury to consider evidence about premeditation and then find Dima guilty of manslaughter, not first-degree murder.
- Jana Walton, Neighbor and eyewitness
- Testified that she woke up in the middle of the night to screaming for help and banging on her front door.
- After calling 911, she discovered blood outside her house.
- Officer Tyler Ragauckas, North Port Police Department
- First responding officer on the scene, he saw the defendant and captured dashcam footage of his reckless driving.
- Melissa Snow, Eyewitness
- A daycare worker who provided a description to police that matched the defendant.
- Kay Rosas, Eyewitness
- Lived in the area for 24 years and worked as a manager at the Shell gas station for 14 years. She frequently worked the register, especially during busy hours.
- Reviewed surveillance video from the Shell station on Sept. 1 and confirmed it accurately depicted events.
- Identified herself in the video wearing a white hat and a red shirt.
- Noticed a person with blood and dirt on his hands who seemed unresponsive when greeted.
- Reported the incident to law enforcement after interacting with the suspicious individual.
- Detective Kade Reyher, Venice Police Department
- Responded to a report of a suspicious man based on a citizen’s tip that matched a suspect from the news.
- A shorter white male was located behind the Shell gas station, and he was given commands to get on the ground, which he complied with.
- Reviewed surveillance video from the back of the Shell station documenting the arrest.
- Elizabeth Walker, North Port Police Department crime scene technician
- Tasked with documenting blood stains at a specific address.
- Followed a blood trail that led from one property to another, including identifying foot impressions.
- Created a diagram and took photographs of the crime scene, highlighting evidence of blood in various rooms.
- Confirmed the direction of movement of the bleeding individual and noted that the person was walking rather than running.
- Found concentrated blood evidence predominantly in the bedroom, kitchen and living room, but none elsewhere.
- Presented multiple State Exhibits including videos, diagrams, and photographs capturing blood stains and the layout of the crime scene.
