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 […]
Tom Chapman
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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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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 […]
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Arcata Police Chief Forum Tonight
The city of Arcata is hosting a public forum tonight (May 30) to take input on what residents would like to see in their next police chief. “Public input is crucial to selecting the best individual to lead Arcata’s police department. I encourage all interested residents to attend the upcoming forum to share their thoughts […]
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Arcata to Vet Bringing Back Former FBI Agent in Lawson Investigation, Other Measures
The Arcata City Council directed staff to look at bringing back a retired FBI agent who recently stepped down from the David Josiah Lawson murder investigation or hiring another expert during Wednesday’s meeting after hearing demands for action from a packed room that included the slain 19 year old’s mother. While not taking an official […]
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Retired FBI Agent: Lawson’s Murder Can and Should Be Solved
Tom Parker, a retired FBI agent who recently stepped down from assisting the Arcata Police Department’s investigation into David Josiah Lawson’s killing, says he’s convinced the case could be solved in just a few months, if not weeks, if he were able to bring the right people on board. “We’d have this thing finished up,” […]
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David Josiah Lawson Remembered
Two students stood alone in the middle of the Arcata Plaza in the pelting rain, redirecting mourners. Due to the weather, the vigil and memorial for David Josiah Lawson, a Humboldt State University student who was killed on April 15, 2017, was moved to the D Street Neighborhood Center near campus. By the time Charmaine […]
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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 […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Charmaine Lawson: ‘Why Doesn’t My Son’s Life Matter Enough?’
It’s been a year since my son, David Josiah Lawson, was senselessly murdered and I’m still waiting for justice. His murderer or murderers are still walking free and this tragedy has sent me through a whirlwind of emotions. I’m sometimes left numb to what has happened but my fight for DJ’s justice has kept me […]
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Arcata Chief Abruptly Resigns Amid Growing Frustrations and the Looming Anniversary of an HSU Student’s Slaying
Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman abruptly resigned his post April 10, sending a departmentwide email saying he felt the timing was right “not only for [him] but for the department.” He offered no reason for his sudden departure, which was effective immediately. However, the Journal has learned that Chapman’s resignation followed that of a consultant […]
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UDPATE: Police Chief’s Resignation Follows that of Consultant on Lawson Case
2nd UPDATE: In response to a spate of media inquiries, Arcata City Manager Karen Diemer released a bit more information this afternoon about Police Chief Tom Chapman’s abrupt resignation, including that the department’s lieutenants will trade off as acting chief until an interim is appointed. Diemer also said Chapman’s decision to resign “does not stem […]
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‘Too Far to Turn Back:’ Arcata Continues Community Dialogue on Race
People of color don’t feel safe in Humboldt County. That was the message reiterated over and over by speakers at Thursday night’s Community Dialogue on Race at Arcata’s D Street Neighborhood Center. The forum, attended by almost 100 community members, came as part of a series of dialogues and updates following the slaying of Humboldt […]