As a reporter, there are moments you remember with incredible clarity. Sometimes it’s because the moments are monumental, like when a source called in 2007 to tell me a criminal grand jury had just indicted two Eureka police commanders on manslaughter charges. Other times, it’s because they pull at your heart strings, like when I […]
Richard Ehle
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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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Dozens Gather at Vigil for Josiah Lawson, Urge Action From DA
Red and white roses surrounded a photo of David Josiah Lawson on the front steps of the Humboldt County Courthouse this evening as people gathered to voice their concerns, frustrations and support for the slain Humboldt State University student. “My heart is filled with rage and sadness,” Renee Saucedo, a supporter, told the crowd of […]
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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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Lawson Case in DA’s Hands, Initial Review Likely to Span Several Weeks
Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming confirmed this morning that the Arcata Police Department has officially submitted its investigation into the 2017 stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson to her office for review. “We have received all the reports,” Fleming wrote in an email to the Journal, adding that an initial review revealed that there […]
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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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‘Lawlessness’
Initial reports are that the altercation that ultimately left a 26-year-old Eureka man bleeding to death on an Arcata sidewalk began over a hat, or some other piece of clothing, according to interim Arcata Police Chief Richard Ehle. “What it was probably about is too much testosterone and too much drinking,” Ehle said, adding that […]
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Students Rally, Plan Vigil for #JusticeforJosiah
A few dozen people gathered on the Humboldt State University quad yesterday as a part of a rally to bring attention to diversity and inclusion issues, standing in solidarity with the mother of slain HSU sophomore David Josiah Lawson as she addressed the California State University Board of Trustees in Southern California. The HSU rally, […]
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Retired FBI Agent Disputes Claim He Has Nothing More to Offer Lawson Investigation
The retired FBI agent who protesters have been lobbying to have brought back onto the ongoing investigation into the 2017 slaying of a Humboldt State University sophomore is disputing the implication that he declined the city’s invitation to return. Protesters effectively shut down Arcata City Council meetings Wednesday and Thursday, occupying city council chambers and […]
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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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Arcata Appoints Law Enforcement Veteran Interim Chief
Arcata will have a new police chief in town, at least for a while. The Arcata City Council voted last night to appoint Richard “Rick” Ehle interim chief of the Arcata Police Department and he is slated to assume the role Monday. Ehle is a 47-year veteran in law enforcement who served the bulk of […]