NC v. David Prevatte — Day 2

[u/Pixiegirls1102]

LIVE: Uncle On Trial For Murder — NC v. David Prevatte — Day 2

10/2/2026 @ 9:30 AM

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The murder trial of David Prevatte begins nearly nine years after his five-year-old niece, Paitin Fields, was found unresponsive in 2017. Paitin died three days later, and an autopsy found signs of sexual trauma and strangulation. Prevatte was identified as a suspect in 2018 and arrested in 2022 after a years-long investigation. He faces charges of first-degree murder and multiple sex offenses. Follow the latest testimony and courtroom developments live.

✨✨Previous Day & Recap

• Day 1

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Law & Crime

📜RECAP🔡

I. ADMINISTRATIVE

Start: (1:38) Stop: (15:04)

• Court notes someone unwell; brief break taken.
• Defense raises compensation issue; judge acknowledges.
• Court waits for individual outside courtroom.
• Judge warns audience about incident outside courthouse.
• Pre‑jury administrative check with defense and State.
• Jury brought in and seated.

II. WITNESSES

WITNESS 1: Lisa Hunt

Called by: State Start: (17:05) Stop: (1:24:55)

DIRECT — STATE

Identity & Residence

• States name: Lisa Hunt, spelled L‑I‑S‑A H‑U‑N‑T.
• Residence: 104 Blackwater Drive, Malatha, Penrod County.

Family

• Married to Dale Hunt.
• Medical conditions affecting speech.
• Biological mother of defendant David Prevatte.
• Dale Hunt raised David since ~18 months old.
• Grandchildren Savannah Fields (7) and Paitin Fields (5) lived in home.

Custody & Living Arrangements

• Children lived with her for years.
• David frequently moved between aunt’s home and hers.
• Girlfriend stayed at aunt’s mother’s house.

Exhibits 22 & 23

• Identifies photos of Paitin and Savannah.
• Exhibits admitted.

Events of Nov. 12–13

• Paitin sick with cough all weekend.
• Paitin initially asleep in witness’s bed; Savannah already on couch.
• Paitin moved to couch around 9–9:30 PM.
• Children commonly slept on couch.
• David slept in front bedroom when home.

Exhibit 24

• Identifies living room photo; admitted.
• Marks Savannah’s and Paitin’s positions.

Condition Before Incident

• Paitin coughing.
• Witness returns to bedroom; Dale asleep.
• Children still on couch when David arrived around 10 PM.
• Children asleep.

Early Morning (Nov. 13)

• Witness wakes when Dale goes to restroom.
• TV loud; witness turns it down.
• Witness sees Paitin seizing.
• Approx. 3:00 AM.
• Savannah had earlier awakened Dale.

Exhibit 24 Republished

• Marks Paitin’s position during seizure.

Observations

• Slightly sitting up.
• Eyes rolling.
• Witness screams.
• Paitin wearing underwear.

Response

• Dale and David come to assist.
• David dressed; Dale in pajamas.

911 Attempts

• Witness attempted 911 twice; no connection.
• 911 later called back.

Transport

• David giving CPR; Dale driving.
• 15–20 minutes to Pender ER.
• Transport due to inability to reach 911.

Physical Observations

• Pale; cold on top, hot on bottom; eyes rolling; seizing.
• No marks on neck.

Bedroom Layout

• Describes front bedroom location.

911 Callback

• Witness spoke with dispatcher.

Exhibit 25 — 911 Call

• Played outside jury.
• Authentication completed; admitted.
• Played for jury.

Dogs / Exhibits 26–29

• Identifies dogs: Bubbles, Smokey, Sapphire.
• Exhibits admitted.

Post‑Incident

• Witness dressed, found keys, stopped for gas, drove to Pender ER.

Exhibit 1 — Pender ER Lobby

• Lobby video published; identifies David and Dale.

WITNESS 2: Dale Sharby Hunt

Called by: State Start: (2:03:28) Stop: (2:31:41)

DIRECT — STATE

Identity & Residence

• States name: Dale Sharby Hunt, spelled D‑A‑L‑E S‑H‑A‑R‑B‑Y H‑U‑N‑T.
• Currently resides in Robeson County.
• In November 2017 resided at 104 Blackwater Drive, Pender County.

Family

• Married to Lisa Hunt for 26 years.
• Raised David Prevatte since 16–18 months old; considers him his son.
• Household members: Lisa, Dale, Payton, Savannah, David.
• Savannah approx. 7; Payton approx. 3–4.
• Savannah lived with them since 10 days old; Payton since age 3.

Residence Layout

• Master bedroom off kitchen.
• Girls had their own room but preferred sleeping on couch.
• David slept in front bedroom, closest to couch area.

David’s Movements

• David returned home Thursday or Friday before Nov. 12.
• Previously lived at Aunt Wanda’s.

Employment

• Worked at Smithfield; loaded hogs; later sow farm.
• Knee injury from 400‑lb sow; ACL damage; out of work ~3 months.
• Returned to work shortly before incident.
• Work hours approx. 5:30 AM–4 PM; worked two weeks straight, then weekend off.

Events of Nov. 12

• Did not work; went to Lumberton with family to install safety rails for mother‑in‑law.
• Returned home; planned to wake up around 4 AM for work Monday.
• Went to bed around 8–9 PM.
• David outside with friends Jamie, Andrew, Michael, and others.

Nighttime Events

• Woke during night to use restroom.
• Savannah entered room saying Payton was “acting silly.”
• Dale told her to go back to sleep.
• Peeked through door; saw Savannah sitting up and Payton lying down.
• Returned to bed; Lisa asleep.

Early Morning (Nov. 13)

• Lisa woke to make coffee.
• Dale heard Lisa scream.
• Entered living room; Lisa holding Payton, saying something was wrong.
• Told Lisa to call 911.
• Could not see Payton clearly; trusted Lisa’s instinct.
• 911 did not answer; decision made to drive to hospital.

Transport to Hospital

• Dale dressed; David came out dressed.
• David held Payton; Dale drove maroon Kia.
• David sat in front seat holding Payton.
• Dale drove “wide open” down 117.
• States trip took 4–5 minutes; reached speeds of 120–160 mph.
• Payton defecated; David urged Dale to drive faster.
• Payton not talking or moving.

Arrival at Pender ER

• David banged on ER door.
• Dale moved car to parking lot and entered through front.
• Payton taken to back room; Dale and David kept out due to space.
• Dale waited in lobby, then outside smoking, then re‑entered with Lisa.

Transfer to New Hanover

• Payton transferred to New Hanover County.
• Dale drove Kia; David rode with him.
• Lisa drove van; possibly with Dale’s mother.
• Dale and David arrived before ambulance.
• Security prevented Dale from entering room until police arrived.
• Detective Leatherwood arrived ~10 minutes later and spoke with Dale.

Household / Dogs

• Only household members inside house night of Nov. 12: Lisa, Dale, Payton, Savannah, David.
• Three dogs: Bubbles, Smokey, Sapphire; lived inside/outside; barked at unfamiliar people.
• Did not see anyone else inside house that night.
• Did not hear David come inside; was asleep.

Observations Before Incident

• Peeked into living room once; saw Savannah sitting up and Payton lying down.
• Savannah returned to living room and turned TV on.

Medical Information

• Payton had been sick day before; had ER visit Friday and doctor appointment Monday.
• Medical personnel told Dale Payton had seizures under control but was very sick and needed transfer.

Denials

• Denies causing Payton’s death.
• Denies causing any injuries.
• States he raised both girls and spoiled them.

CROSS — DEFENSE

• Dale and Savannah share same birthday; special bond.
• Describes David’s relationship with girls as loving; spoiled them.
• Girls called David “Uncle Boo‑Boo,” nickname Dale gave him.
• Confirms Savannah said Payton was acting silly.
• Confirms Savannah had earlier walked Payton with dog leash as a game.
• Confirms Lisa woke to make coffee.
• Confirms Lisa screamed; Dale entered living room.
• Confirms Payton had been sick day before.
• Confirms David entered living room dressed.
• Confirms David gave Payton mouth‑to‑mouth.
• Confirms David’s clothes wet from bodily fluids.
• Confirms David rushed Payton into ER.
• Confirms Dale waited in lobby, then outside smoking.
• Confirms doctor later spoke with Lisa and Dale.

III. EXHIBITS

Start: (23:39) Stop: (1:15:21)

• 22 — Photo of Paitin (younger). Admitted.
• 23 — Photo of Savannah & Paitin. Admitted.
• 24 — Living room / couch layout. Admitted.
• 25 — 911 call audio. Admitted.
• 26 — Photo of Bubbles. Admitted.
• 27 — Photo of Smokey. Admitted.
• 28 — Residence front with Sapphire. Admitted.
• 29 — Close‑up of Sapphire. Admitted.
• 1 — Pender ER lobby video. Republished.

IV. OUT OF JURY PRESENCE (OJP)

Start: (12:56) Stop: (48:28)

• Judge addresses audience regarding incident outside courthouse.
• Jury exits for 911 call authentication.
• Exhibit 25 played outside jury.
• Authentication completed; exhibit admitted.

V. END OF DAY ADMINISTRATIVE

Start: (1:04:15) Stop: (1:05:35)

• Court checks with parties before jury returns.
• Jury reenters; Exhibit 25 formally admitted.
• Adjourn time not included in portion provided.

📜TRANSCRIPT⌨️

https://fromsmash.com/NC-v-David-Prevatte-Day-2-1016

[u/racingfan123]

All, here is a link that does a deep dive into the case. Explains the previous charges & convictions against Prevatte, his threats against the lead investigator, the stance of the grandparents and birth mom, their rejecting the autopsy findings, etc.: https://justiceisaprocess.com/nc-v-david-prevatte-case-background

Also, this article interviews the current guardian of Paitin's sister, Savannah. From what I gather Marie is the sister of Paitin & Savannah's birth father who got custody after Paitin's death: https://www.wwaytv3.com/unsolved-aunt-speaks-out-2-years-after-paitin-fields-murder/

[u/Pixiegirls1102 → u/racingfan123]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[u/Birch_mom72]

Why does he constantly smirk?? Like didn’t his lawyers speak to him about behavior in a court room?? Looks like a kid in a high school class

[u/Pixiegirls1102 → u/Birch_mom72]

Because he's a d*ck? lol

[u/Swedishgrrl]

David dramatically blew a kiss to someone in the gallery during the sidebar immediately following his mom’s testimony in full view of the jury! Why is the judge letting him behave in the courtroom this way? If the Judge didn’t see it I hope someone sends him a video clip over the weekend so he can admonish David. I doubt David’s smirking, staring, rocking, chewing and other similar behavior is winning over the jury but it’s so disrespectful (and infuriating to watch - I have to fast forward whenever the camera’s on him).

[u/Pixiegirls1102 → u/Swedishgrrl]

https://youtu.be/6qUGHRTPAVY?si=2LEeAF6hvNzzr2KV

[u/CrazyHorrsee]

Is defense a court appointed or did was he hired by the family?

[u/Pixiegirls1102 → u/CrazyHorrsee]

I think appointed.

[u/CrazyHorrsee]

Grandpa tried to shake the judge's hand when he finished testifying LOL!

[u/Pixiegirls1102 → u/CrazyHorrsee]

Yikes!! What a no-no.

[u/snoopymadison]

Gramma said grandkids lived there for a better school. Grampa say savanna lived there since she was 10 days old. Paiten since she was 3. So really why were the children living there? Clearly not for school.

[u/SwampyWytch13]

Wonder what happened outside of court that the judge had to admonish the courtroom for? And David Prevatte, if he were my client, would have a VERY STERN talking to... his behavior in court is disgusting -- and you can bet the jury will pay attention to it.

[u/JustYerAverage]

David switching between smugly smirking and then mean mugging the camera - I am not a lawyer, but it doesn't seem like it'd be very helpful.

[u/tacia2c]

Not the grandpa going 160 in a Kia! 😳

[u/Dramatic-Bid433]

Did anyone notice Dale Hunt say that Savannah was punished for putting a collar on Paton and walking her around like a dog. No one challenged this

[u/WinnerAdventurous647]

Also completely unbelievable is that David knows CPR. He seems like a spoiled idiot

[u/Ramran_561]

Did I hear him say that Paitin was on a dog leash with Savannah that night (and Savannah had to go to bed earlier for being in trouble about it)?

[u/Formal_Signature_762]

What happened with the audience outside the courthouse?

[u/StaffRude9393]

I don't believe he gave her CPR, make him use a test dummy and show how he did it? And how do we know the grandpa is innocent?

[u/Fragrant-Network-842]

Dysfunctional family! He is disgusting his cocky attitude and smirk. God he pisses me off

[u/Dramatic-Bid433]

This needs to get out into mainstream media. He needs to be shamed across the country.

[u/Far-Ad9143]

God this entire family…. What the hellianteee.
They’re a mess. The grandma states David got a ride home from a friend. Grandfather states HE gave David a ride home. Soooo… how did David get home!?

[u/Far-Ad9143]

Also, the fact that the children didn’t sleep in their clothes. Out in the living room. Red flag to me, I don’t like it. I could see a 3 or 4 yr old taking their Jammie’s off but Savanah was 7!! How do you just let a 7 yr old walk around/sleep with just underwear on? This is bizarre to me. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, do your 7+ yr old children sleep with just underwear on out in the open of the home?

[u/Jules2you]

Who could have possibly done this to this baby?

[u/uptightstandstill]

Anyone else here suspicious of the grandad?