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 […]
David Josiah Lawson
Posted inLetters + Opinion
An Open Letter to the Person Who Killed my Son
April 15th, 2020 To the person responsible for murdering my son, I am writing this letter to encourage you to come forward in order to bring peace to yourself and my family. Your friends and family may tell you that you are free and to disregard me, however, I know that you are not free in your […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
APD Renews Calls for Witnesses on Third Anniversary of Lawson’s Death
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 […]
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 (NCJ)
‘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 (NCJ)
Lawson Report: Lack of Training, Crime Scene Management Hindered Investigation
A long-delayed National Police Foundation report released today commended the initial officers’ response to the fatal stabbing of Humboldt State University student David “Josiah” Lawson nearly three years ago but found a systemic failure by the police department’s then leadership to provide adequate training on crime scene management and command skills, which severely hindered the […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Top 10 Stories of 2019
Does it feel like 2019 was about seven years of news cycles crammed into 365 short days? That can’t be just us. In Humboldt County, it was a year filled with conflict and hope, discord and solidarity, miracle and tragedy. As we collectively turn the page to a new year and a new decade, here’s […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
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 […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
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 […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
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 […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
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 […]
