After a criminal grand jury targeting him opted not to issue an indictment, a McKinleyville man suspected in the stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson hopes the jury’s decision “will allow law enforcement to investigate the case from a new perspective and seek the truth,” according to a press release from his attorney. “Kyle Zoellner […]
Kyle Zoellner
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APD Chief Vows to Keep Investigating Lawson Case Despite Grand Jury’s Refusal to Indict
Shortly after the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office announced this afternoon that a criminal grand jury had declined to indict anyone in connection with the 2017 stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson, Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn told the Journal that his department is committed to continuing its investigation into the 19 year old’s slaying. […]
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Grand Jury Declines to Indict in Lawson Case
The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office announced this afternoon that a criminal grand jury convened to hear evidence in the stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson has declined to issue any indictments in the case. According to the press release, the criminal grand jury convened Feb. 28 and heard testimony from 25 witnesses, including experts […]
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Lawson Feels Son’s Case is Moving Toward an Arrest After Meeting with DA
Charmaine Lawson said she emerged from a meeting with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office yesterday feeling the investigation into her son’s 2017 stabbing death is moving “in the direction of an arrest” and that she’s “somewhat satisfied” with the case’s progress. Charmaine Lawson has been publicly critical of law enforcement and prosecutors since her […]
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Charmaine Lawson: DNA Evidence Identifies Son’s Killer
The mother of slain Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson took to Facebook this morning to express frustration that the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office still hasn’t made a charging decision in her son’s case two months after the Arcata Police Department handed over its investigation. “The Department of justice [has] identified my son’s […]
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DA: Lawson Review Will Likely Take Another 4-6 Weeks
Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming says her office will need another month to six weeks to complete its review of the David Josiah Lawson homicide investigation to determine what — if any — charges are appropriate in the case. The Arcata Police Department completed its investigation into Lawson’s April 15, 2017, stabbing death and […]
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APD Interim Chief: There is ‘Unequivocal Physical Evidence’ in Lawson Case
The Arcata Police Department is preparing to submit its investigation into the 2017 stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office this week and Interim Police Chief Richard Ehle says he thinks there is “unequivocal physical evidence” linking a specific suspect to Lawson’s death. Ehle declined to discuss the evidence […]
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APD Interim Chief Hopes to See Charges in Lawson Case in 6-8 Weeks
After a group of about 30 protesters shut down an Arcata City Council meeting for the second consecutive night to demand justice for a slain Humboldt State University student, Interim Police Chief Richard Ehle offered a brief update on the case, saying he hopes to conclude the investigation and forward it on to the district attorney’s […]
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Huffman Asks FBI to Assist on Lawson Investigation; the Bureau Has Not Responded
North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman is asking the FBI to step in and assist with investigating the still unsolved slaying of a Humboldt State University sophomore. “The tragic death of 19-year-old David Josiah Lawson on April 15, 2017, has been devastating to this rural community in my congressional district,” read the letter Huffman sent FBI […]
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Lawsuit: Zoellner Alleges APD Falsified Reports in Lawson Investigation
Kyle Zoellner, the 24-year-old McKinleyville man accused last year of fatally stabbing a Humboldt State University student on April 15, 2017, has filed a lawsuit against the city of Arcata alleging police and city officials violated his civil rights. Zoellner — who was arrested at the scene of an off-campus party where David Josiah Lawson, […]
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UPDATE: Mother of Slain HSU Student Files Claim Against Arcata, Council Responds
The civil rights attorney for the mother of slain Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson has filed a claim seeking at least $500,000 from the city of Arcata, alleging Charmaine Lawson suffered injuries including emotional distress and anxiety due to a “negligent” police investigation into her son’s death. The 13-page document, the precursor to […]
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Mistrust Led to Ex-FBI Agent’s Departure from Lawson Case
The former FBI agent who had been consulting on the investigation into the homicide of David Josiah Lawson said his decision to step away from the case Monday was the result of his belief that the Arcata Police Department wasn’t being forthright with him or following his recommendations. Arcata City Manager Karen Diemer doesn’t dispute […]