The unsolved fatal stabbing of Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson will be featured on Still A Mystery, an Investigation Discovery television program that looks at a single crime in each episode “where unanswered questions still remain.”
More than three years have passed since Lawson, a 19-year-old sophomore studying criminal justice, was killed on April 15, 2017, at an off-campus party.
While a suspect, then 23-year-old Kyle Zoellner, of McKinleyville, was arrested at the scene and charged with Lawson’s murder, the case was dismissed a few weeks later after a Humboldt County Superior Court judge found insufficient evidence to hold him to stand trial.
Nearly two years later, a criminal grand jury declined to indict anyone in connection with the case.
Lawson’s mother, Charmaine Lawson, has been a constant presence in the community since his death, calling for justice for her son and asking witnesses and the perpetrator to come forward.
In a post on the Justice for Josiah Facebook page, Charmaine Lawson asked people to “watch and share with friends and family.”
“Three years and still no justice,” the post states. “I will not give up until justices is served for my son DJ.”
Earlier this year, the National Police Foundation released its long-awaited report on the Arcata Police Department’s investigation into Josiah Lawson’s death, which detailed a litany of mistakes made in the first 72 hours of the case.
The Josiah Lawson episode of Still a Mystery airs at 10 p.m. today.
This article appears in Fear to Anger to Rage.
I saw what happen on IDGO, and would have liked to see the case also. I wonder why these questions weren’t asked, because it made no since. The girlfriend of the killer went to a party uninvited to accuse someone of stealing her purse, but not much was said about her being there earlier and why she went there alone in the first place?How long from the time she was dropped off by her boyfriend (killer) until he returned? Why did she choose to accuse DJ.and where was his friends, did anyone know these two? Why did the killer take a knife to the party where he wasn’t invited? Who were these two Young White Americans and how were they connected to the Police? Why did the FBI Agent leave things in the air? Watching this I think there was a plan, and it took place after everyone was load with drinks. I think DJ was picked for the attack. It could of been anyone that was there his size and weight. He was in the wrong place when those two showed up. The protesting really isn’t working for Blacks in this Country of Ours. Use Education as tools. Put everything in writing with co signers as many as you can. Police can’t help Our struggles, some of them are here to make things a little harder. Stay out the way of Police and Stop these late night parties for now because thing are getting worse than ever. First we need to work on ourselves as a People and then, also as Family. This will bring change. This is about Black Americans and Our Children. No others because We are the ones struggling for survival.
Charge the people who jumped Kyle, if Kyle doesnt get jumped he doesnt have to defend himself!