Charmaine Lawson: Dissapointed at the press release issued yesterday by APD

Charmaine Lawson, mother of David Josiah Lawson, has responded to a press release that was sent out yesterday by the Arcata Police Department (APD) seeking for the public’s help in identifying people that could be potential witnesses.

Lawson is questioning APD on its recent actions to release still images of witnesses who are seen at the scene of a party, where her son was fatally stabbed on April 15, 2017. In addition to the images, APD announced it has established a 24-hour tip line for anyone that might have information in the murder of Josiah Lawson.

In a press release sent out by Lawson today, she expressed her fustration with APD – questioning why it has taken them this long to set up a tip line and release images after almost two years of investigating the murder of her son. She also shared that she was disturbed by the blurry images, noting that the images are primarily African American attendees of the party.

Lawson is also demanding that the DA’s office hand over a copy of the official Grand Jury transcript to her lawyers. According to the press release by Lawson, District Attorney Maggie Flemming has decided that an eye witness is needed in order to take any further action on this case. Lawson shared examples of cases, in which DNA evidence was enough to idenitfy a person(s) responisble of committing crimes.

A Criminal Grand Jury declined to indict anyone in the stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson. On Feb. 28, a jury convened to address the case. The jury received testimony from 25 witnesses including experts in forensics and DNA.

See the full press release from Charmaine Lawson below:

PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release

Charmaine Lawson, mother of David Josiah Lawson: In response to APD’s Press Release

Dear Humboldt County Community Members,

I, Charmaine Lawson (Mother of DJ Lawson), was disheartened and outraged at the press release issued yesterday from the Arcata Police Department (APD). For the first time after almost two years of allegedly investigating the murder of my first born son, APD set up a 24-hour tip line and released images of potential witnesses. Why weren’t these actions taken two years ago? And, why is the APD primarily releasing images of African American attendees of the party?

As a Mother who raised two ambitious, amazing, brilliant, outstanding, young Black men (that both went to college), I am deeply disturbed by the recent actions of the APD. When I viewed the blurry images from the press release, all I saw was Black and Brown young people leaving the scene. Why didn’t the officers on the scene that night obtain their names, contact information and statements at the time of the murder? Why – after two years – is the APD just now trying to identify people in attendance at the birthday party? This is beyond negligent.

I was told by the three chiefs of police from APD and a city official that Kyle Zoellner’s DNA is on the knife that was used to murder my son. It is time that Humboldt County residents call out and address the Arcata City officials and Humboldt County DA Maggie Fleming regarding DNA evidence appearing on the knife that was used to murder a young college student. I cannot bring my son back, but we can help take a murderer off the streets. Why should a murderer walk the streets with your loved ones? If he killed once, he will kill again. Do you feel safer as a result of the actions the APD has taken in connection with this case? If not, then I encourage you to demand answers from your local representatives.

I demand that the DA’s office hand over a copy of the official Grand Jury transcript to my lawyers.

This case must be immediately turned over to the CA Department Of Justice (DOJ). DA Fleming has previously called in the FBI and State Attorney General for help during the Sheriff’s Office corruption investigation. Fleming emphasized the urgency of the need for assistance to these outside agencies during that investigation. Why did she not push for the DOJ to take over the investigation of the murder of my son (especially after she failed to present adequate and/or sufficient evidence at both the preliminary hearing and grand jury proceedings)? The DOJ will not decline a county official request.

I have been informed that there are only two major DNA contributors on the knife. DNA does not LIE. But, the DA has decided that in order to take any further action on this case the investigators need to find an eye witness. In other words, District Attorney Fleming wants the public to believe that eyewitness testimony is more reliable than the results of scientific DNA forensic testing. This is beyond absurd.

● Ann O’keefe was 11 years old when she was strangled to death in Southern California in 1973. DNA evidence brought her murderer to justice about 3 weeks ago.
● Anna Hiavka was found murdered in Portland in 1979. DNA evidence identified her killer as Jerry “Animal” McFadden.
● Grim Sleeper, serial killer Lonnie Franklin, responsible for decades of murders, was caught through DNA evidence. ● The Golden State Killer – 13 murder counts from 1970s to the 1980s – was caught through DNA evidence.

These are just a few examples of how DNA evidence can identify a person(s) responsible for committing crimes. How long will I have to grieve before my son’s murderer is brought to justice?

Two years ago, my son and his friends were leaving a birthday party when they were approached by a young woman and her friends about a missing cell phone. My son lost his life over a cell phone. A phone that was later found by Lila Ortega.

I will fight for justice for my son. I will fight for justice in Humboldt County. There are many murder cases on DA Fleming’s desk that she is unwilling to prosecute. I am fighting for those families as well. The failure of the APD to protect and serve this community is an issue that is greater than my son. I will not accept the lack of justice for families (like mine) that have suffered as a result of incompetence, lack of proper training, and/or intentional or negligent mishandling of serious criminal investigations. My son is not the only murder victim whose case has been buried and swept under the rug in Humboldt County, California. Enough is enough. It is time to speak truth to power.

I would like to offer my condolences and heartbreak to the family of Brandon Brocious, for the loss of your son, and miscarriage of justice today. The Lawson family stands with you. Justice for Brandon.

“To be a man is to be responsible, is to feel shame at the sight of unmerited misery” – David Josiah Lawson, my beloved DJ.

REST IN POWER MY SWEET LOVE. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. ALWAYS AND FOREVER, MOMMYS ANGEL.

In love and justice, Charmaine Lawson