The 23-year-old McKinleyville man accused in the fatal stabbing of Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson pleaded not guilty to murder and a related weapons charge at his arraignment today.
A preliminary hearing for Kyle Christopher Zoellner is set for May 1, District Attorney Maggie Fleming stated in an email to the Journal. His bail is set at $1 million.
HSU President Lisa Rossbacher said in a statement released this afternoon that “we remain focused on supporting our students and doing all we can for Josiah’s family.”
“Our University Police are continuing to assist the Arcata Police Department, which is leading the investigation,” the statement reads. “Looking ahead, we will insist that everything
possible will be done to pursue justice for Josiah.”
The criminology major was apparently stabbed after a fist fight broke out early Saturday morning at a house party, possibly over a missing cell phone. The university and the Arcata Police Department have made repeated appeals asking everyone who was in attendance to come forward.
Yesterday, the APD specifically urged the sender of an anonymous email with details about the crime to talk with investigators. APD Chief Tom Chapman also said he plans to investigate and address concerns about the timeliness of the emergency response when it is appropriate.
A vigil for Lawson is set for Thursday.
From Humboldt State University:
A celebration of life in remembrance of David Josiah Lawson will be held on Thursday, April 20, at 5 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room.
The family of David Josiah Lawson and the HSU community will gather to to remember the life of Lawson, who died Saturday.
Lawson was a sophomore studying criminology at Humboldt State University and had recently been elected president of HSU’s Brothers United. He’s remembered by his family for his warm smile and his kindness.
For support: Office of the Dean of Students at 707-826-3504. Counseling & Psychological Services at 707-826-3236. Employee Assistance Program at 707-443-7358.
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This article appears in Banned.
By the looks of the defendant he was fighting for his life. I have witnessed many of beatings of single men by groups of blacks.
Not true, I have lived in Memphis for over 20 years so I have experience within the black community but I also lived in Tupelo Ms., Houston Tx., Santa Rosa Ca. and now here. The one thing I have observed, in my experience, is that when the predominant race feels like they are losing ground they become very possessive and violent. And up here it’s predominantly white. As a native of Yurok and Hoopa and being married to a black man if 20 years I know white anger firsthand. So I believe the white young man initiated it to instigate race relations. So sad he cannot find something better to do. Wok-lhew