On the third anniversary his death, the Arcata Police Department is calling on witnesses to step forward in the April 15, 2017, stabbing of Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson. In a joint public service announcement released with Lawson’s mother, Charmaine Lawson, they urge witnesses who may have attended the party at which Lawson […]
Charmaine Lawson
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Justice for Josiah
In our collective years covering crime in Humboldt County, a hard truth we’ve come to realize is that justice is rare — even rarer in a courtroom. The criminal justice system is a misnomer, as the very best it can deliver is protecting the community from a perpetrator while giving them a very limited chance […]
Posted inNews
‘Organizational Failures’
The commanding officer who oversaw the first steps in the Arcata Police Department’s probe into the April 15, 2017, stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson had no specialized training in crime scene management or homicide investigation. The officer tasked with photographing the crime scene used a point-and-shoot camera, had been working in law enforcement less […]
Posted inNews
AG Won’t Take Lawson Case
The California Attorney General’s Office has informed Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming that it will not be taking responsibility for any possible prosecution related to the 2017 killing of David Josiah Lawson. “Absent a reusable conflict of interest, the Attorney General’s Office generally only takes over a prosecution handled by a district attorney when […]
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APD Chief, Charmaine Lawson Ask Witnesses to Come Forward
The mother of slain Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson has joined with Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn to tape a public service message asking for any witnesses to his April 15, 2017 stabbing to contact the department. In the short clip, Charmaine Lawson says, “There is DNA evidence from the knife used to […]
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Charmaine Lawson Holds 31-month Vigil for Her Son, Hopes Documentary Will Bring Outside Attention to Unsolved Case
It has been 31 months since Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson was killed. On Friday, the anniversary of her 19-year-old son’s death, a group of a few dozen students and community members surrounded Charmaine Lawson at a small vigil at the Arcata Methodist Church, during which the group watched Who Killed Josiah?, a […]
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Outstanding: A Report Expected to Shed Light on David Josiah Lawson’s Killing Remains MIA
In the aftermath of the April 15, 2017 stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson, as criticism swirled about the city of Arcata’s emergency and police responses and protests mounted, officials pledged the incident would be reviewed by an outside organization. Nearly two and a half years later, the city has yet to see the $30,000 […]
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Walking the Walk: Photos for HSU Graduation
More than 1,800 Humboldt State University students sat through three graduation ceremonies in Redwood Bowl during Saturday’s rainy skies. In addition, the campus hosted the Black Heritage Graduation Celebration on late Friday afternoon in the Kate Buchanan Room, followed in the evening by the Latinx Graduation Ceremony (the largest in HSU’s history) at the Lumberjack […]
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‘Today is Your Day:’ Charmaine Lawson Accepts Son’s Degree in Emotional Ceremony
Ponchos, umbrellas and rain jackets surrounded Humboldt State University’s Redwood Bowl this morning as graduates celebrated their commencement. Among them, in a full cap, gown and graduation stole, was Charmaine Lawson, sitting in place of her son, David Josiah Lawson. David Josiah Lawson, who was a 19-year-old sophomore when he was fatally stabbed at an […]
Posted inNews
‘This is Heartbreaking:’ Vigil Commemorates Second Anniversary of Lawson’s Killing
Encircled by more than 100 people at the center of the Arcata Plaza during a candlelight vigil on the second anniversary of her son’s death, Charmaine Lawson took the microphone and fell silent. She took off her red hat with “Josiah” embroidered across the back, doubled over and wept until a friend embraced her. She […]
