Zoellner’s DNA on Knife Used to Kill Her Son, Says Mother of David Josiah Lawson in Open Letter
Charmaine Lawson receives a hug from a friend of her son at his celebration of life in Arcata. [Photo by Mark McKenna]
Charmaine Lawson, mother of David Josiah Lawson: In response to APD’s Press Release
Dear Humboldt County Community Members,
I, Charmaine Lawson (Mother of DJ Lawson), was disheartened and outraged at the press release issued yesterday from the Arcata Police Department (APD). For the first time after almost two years of allegedly investigating the murder of my first born son, APD set up a 24-hour tip line and released images of potential witnesses. Why weren’t these actions taken two years ago? And, why is the APD primarily releasing images of African American attendees of the party?
As a Mother who raised two ambitious, amazing, brilliant, outstanding, young Black men (that both went to college), I am deeply disturbed by the recent actions of the APD. When I viewed the blurry images from the press release, all I saw was Black and Brown young people leaving the scene. Why didn’t the officers on the scene that night obtain their names, contact information and statements at the time of the murder? Why – after two years – is the APD just now trying to identify people in attendance at the birthday party? This is beyond negligent.
I was told by the three chiefs of police from APD and a city official that Kyle Zoellner’s DNA is on the knife that was used to murder my son. It is time that Humboldt County residents call out and address the Arcata City officials and Humboldt County DA Maggie Fleming regarding DNA evidence appearing on the knife that was used to murder a young college student. I cannot bring my son back, but we can help take a murderer off the streets. Why should a murderer walk the streets with your loved ones? If he killed once, he will kill again. Do you feel safer as a result of the actions the APD has taken in connection with this case? If not, then I encourage you to demand answers from your local representatives.
***I demand that the DA’s office hand over a copy of the official Grand Jury transcript to my lawyers.***
This case must be immediately turned over to the CA Department Of Justice (DOJ). DA Fleming has previously called in the FBI and State Attorney General for help during the Sheriff’s Office corruption investigation. Fleming emphasized the urgency of the need for assistance to these outside agencies during that investigation. Why did she not push for the DOJ to take over the investigation of the murder of my son (especially after she failed to present adequate and/or sufficient evidence at both the preliminary hearing and grand jury proceedings)? The DOJ will not decline a county official request.
I have been informed that there are only two major DNA contributors on the knife. DNA does not LIE. But, the DA has decided that in order to take any further action on this case the investigators need to find an eye witness. In other words, District Attorney Fleming wants the public to believe that eyewitness testimony is more reliable than the results of scientific DNA forensic testing. This is beyond absurd.
- Ann O’keefe was 11 years old when she was strangled to death in Southern California in 1973. DNA evidence brought her murderer to justice about 3 weeks ago.
- Anna Hiavka was found murdered in Portland in 1979. DNA evidence identified her killer as Jerry “Animal” McFadden.
- Grim Sleeper, serial killer Lonnie Franklin, responsible for decades of murders, was caught through DNA evidence.
- The Golden State Killer – 13 murder counts from 1970s to the 1980s – was caught through DNA evidence.
These are just a few examples of how DNA evidence can identify a person(s) responsible for committing crimes. How long will I have to grieve before my son’s murderer is brought to justice?
Two years ago, my son and his friends were leaving a birthday party when they were approached by a young woman and her friends about a missing cell phone. My son lost his life over a cell phone. A phone that was later found by Lila Ortega.
I will fight for justice for my son. I will fight for justice in Humboldt County. There are many murder cases on DA Fleming’s desk that she is unwilling to prosecute. I am fighting for those families as well. The failure of the APD to protect and serve this community is an issue that is greater than my son. I will not accept the lack of justice for families (like mine) that have suffered as a result of incompetence, lack of proper training, and/or intentional or negligent mishandling of serious criminal investigations. My son is not the only murder victim whose case has been buried and swept under the rug in Humboldt County, California. Enough is enough. It is time to speak truth to power.
I would like to offer my condolences and heartbreak to the family of Brandon Brocious, for the loss of your son, and miscarriage of justice today. The Lawson family stands with you. Justice for Brandon.
“To be a man is to be responsible, is to feel shame at the sight of unmerited misery” – David Josiah Lawson, my beloved DJ.
REST IN POWER MY SWEET LOVE. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. ALWAYS AND FOREVER, MOMMYS ANGEL.
In love and justice,
Charmaine Lawson
UPDATE: DA’s Office Responds to Letter From Mother of Slain HSU Student
Earlier Stories about David Josiah Lawson:
- 19-Year-Old HSU Student Dies After Stabbing in Arcata Early This Morning
- 23-Year-Old McKinleyville Resident Arrested in Connection with HSU Student’s Stabbing Death
- HSU Offers Students Who Witnessed Stabbing Death Amnesty for Breaking School Rules; Asks Cooperation With Police
- Arcata Police Not Releasing Photo of Suspect in Stabbing Death for Now
- APD Received Anonymous Email About Fatal Stabbing; Pleads With Writer to Come Forward
- Celebration of the Life of Stabbing Victim Will be Held at Humboldt State University Today; Racial Bias Alleged to Have Led to Death
- Hundreds Mourn Slain HSU Student at Thursday Vigil
- Uncle of Fatal Stabbing Suspect Writes Letter to the Editor Urging Community Re-examine Public Statements Made in the Case
- Family of Arcata Stabbing Suspect Claims the Real Killer Has Not Been Caught (Includes Timeline of Events as Presented in Public Statements by Those at the Party)
- HSU and Arcata Police Issue Statements Following Release of Kyle Zoellner in the Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
- District Attorney’s Office Issues Statement as Defendant in Racially Charged Case Released
- Family of Kyle Zoellner Who Was Released Today in Stabbing Death Issues Statement to Family and Friends of Victim
- Justice for Josiah Gathering Keeps Arcata Lively Tonight; Another Protest Called for Tomorrow
- Letter to the Community of Arcata from Kyle Zoellner’s Uncle
- Chanting “‘Justice for Josiah,’ Protesters Gather at the Courthouse
- Family Announces $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to Conviction of Killer of David Josiah Lawson
- APD Chief and Victim’s Mother Offer Updates on the Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
- Letter From Family Member Questions Testimony of Witnesses in Hearing About Kyle Zoellner’s Possible Role in the Death of David Josiah Lawson
- ‘Reckless Statements’ Were Made by Tom Parker, and Lawson Attorney, Shelley Mack, Writes Uncle of Kyle Zoellner in Letter to the Editor
- Protestors Take Over Arcata City Council Meeting Demanding Justice for Josiah
- A Deeper Look at Last Thursday’s Disruption of the Arcata City Council by Protesters Demanding That Tom Parker Be Asked Back to Help in the Josiah Lawson Case
- Mother of Josiah Lawson Claims DNA on Knife Identifies her Son’s ‘Murderer’, Calls for Justice
- Grand Jury ‘Declines’ to Indict Anyone for Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
- Arcata Police Say They Will ‘Work to Identify the Suspect who Murdered David Josiah Lawson’ After Grand Jury Declines to Indict Anyone
- APD Requests Public’s Help Identifying Potential Witnesses in Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
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My heart goes out to you and your family. As a father, I can only imagine the pain that you have experienced at the hand of a coward, and continue to experience because of the cowardly acts of our county’s representatives of justice. For the safety of all of us we need to do much better.
JUSTICE FOR JOSIAH!!! ✊
DNA on the knife?? It was most likely everywhere the way they beat him down, blood splatter all over the place!!!
“Why weren’t these actions taken two years ago?”
I’m just assuming it’s because somebody just supplied these photos, because otherwise there is really no excuse for waiting so long on this.
It looks like they’re photos pulled from the vehicle camera of the officers.
The photos are from the dash cam of an official vehicle. The camera is in the street and static over time. Law enforcement could have delayed releasing the photos for any number of reasons. Who knows what’s been uncovered among the evidence they’ve acquired. Press releases provoke as well as offer warnings to suspects and criminals. For example a relatively recent press release from Humboldt’s law enforcement informing the general public that to knowingly shelter a wanted criminal is a crime itself, then busting somebody only a couple days later for letting a murder suspect hide at his house. Certain attendees of that party are being monitored, it’s effortless automated technology. Every suspect is carrying a wire. It’s a brave new world.
My guess is that the Barney Fifes at APD thought they could make a case without additional witnesses, then found themselves back to the drawing board.
Zoellner was being beaten to death by Lawson and his friends, even if he did stab Lawson it would be self defense
👍
Truth,
👍
Could be a disgruntled mother just making a lot of noise to stir her allegations. I find it hard to believe without direct proof that three police chiefs told Lawson that Zoellner’s DNA was on the murder weapon. Her comments are not verifiable. She should at least presented evidence. She didn’t so it is all hearsay. I would more likely believe 12 local citizens on a Grand Jury than a grieving mother possibly grasping at “they said and then……..she said”.
Since they were beating the shit out of him i wouldnt be surprised that his blood(dna) was all over the place at that crime scene… not very indicative of much… not defending the situation just pointing out since he was bleeding all over its not surprising..
Are there 3 police chiefs? Just for Arcata?
Do like the Goldman s did to ok Simpson go to civil court take everything they got. The Goldman s have been on ok for 25 years. It was was their justice system that found oj not guilty, but the Goldman is going for all ok got …
“Disgruntled” is not an appropriate adjective to describe a mother whose child was stabbed to death. Try “grief-stricken” or “heartbroken” or “traumatized.” You have a right to your opinion, but a little empathy goes a long way. She doesn’t need or deserve criticism. She needs prayers and kind words. Life is crazy and horribly unpredictable. Someday you may find yourself in similar shoes! Remember to always give what you would hope to get.
That’s what I’ve always thought. But then why didn’t Zoellner say that from the beginning? Maye he was afraid of the courts failing him?
The DA stated the Grand Jury determined there was not sufficient evidence to charge anyone. Regardless what you THINK there has got to be evidence. I would believe that the DA, from the Grand Jury’s twelve persons decision that there was not sufficient hard (the key work in “hard”) evidence to announce an arrest of Zoellner or anyone else. And maybe Zoellner didn’t do it. There are so many unproven stories going around and none of them with evidence. Are those people’s stories just looking for someone to blame?? My favorite is the one going around that the guy hugging Lawson’s mother was in a relationship with her and Josiah was getting in the way. Not one shred of evidence indicates that. With a looming Grand Jury hearing I seriously doubt Lawson heard from three Police Chiefs. And where is the evidence that three police Chief’s said the DNA was Zoellner’s. Neither Lost Coast nor Redheaded Blackbelt confirmed the story. Neither contacted the three Police Chiefs’. Unacceptable hearsay journalism under the category of “False News”. If you cannot prove it don’t used it
Headline, mother says, so no false news unless she didn’t say that.
My question is, why would any police chief tell her anything about DNA results?
Wouldn’t telling her anything at all on the subject of DNA results, not made public, be considered unprofessional and a risk to their career?
FALSE
Yeah, sorry mom, but your son and his buddies were involved in beating someone badly. Call it a bad “Shit-uation”.
Every body played there part that night.
I wish there was more transparency about the decision by the grand jury not to recommend charges against Kyle. It seems like we need some light shined around here. Something isn’t adding up.
By law there can’t be any transparency. None.
Probably should watch Murder Mountain on Netflix.. brings a lot of light to this situation
Of course it’s not just the APD & current county DA’s office that is now known for bungling homicide cases locally. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department is a longstanding joke, but that may be because they spend all of their time being DTF.
I watched “Murder Mountain” twice. No evidence sited in the report. Written like a bad Hollywood script. If there was evidence…………..maybe.
Yes, by all means, let’s study a disjointed, slanted supposed ” documentary ” made by a film crew from out of the area that hired tweakers for staring roles. That’ll give us all of our answers, FOR SHO !! Pfffffft.
I think the assumption is often that a “person of interest” is a suspect. Not always the case of course.
They were referred to as potential witnesses, not persons of interest. Of course, if witnesses have been sitting on their information rather than coming forward it does suggest ulterior motives.
I heard an interview with, I believe, the chief of police for Arcata. It was highly critical of how the DA handled the case against Zoellner. Typically, the DA would put on one or two witnesses to prove their case at a preliminary hearing. The DA put on, like, 24 witnesses who had contradictory stories. I admit I do not know the details of this case, but that interview left me thinking that this is the DA’s fault, not the Arcata Police Department. And I am no fan of police.
I agree with Josiah’s mother that this is very suspicious that these photos are only being released right now. To those people who speculate that these just became available, that is pure speculation. The investigative work has been seriously wanting.
It wasn’t the Chief of APD it was Lawson’s investigator. And frankly, that was just bellyaching. Had those inconsistencies come out in a criminal trial rather than the preliminary hearing it would have destroyed the case and Zoellner would be free as a bird under double jeopardy protection.
Those are dashcam images that APD has been in possession of for nearly two years. The investigative work has been seriously wanting in not pursuing *all* leads, and now the Barney Fifes have egg on their faces when their chosen lead didn’t pan out. There is no way they can move forward without eating some major crow.
And just what do you think would happen in a trial?
Probably what isn’t adding up is the evidence against the guy that everyone wants to be guilty. Sometimes public opinion is wrong. The statement that his DNA is on the knife is troubling. But we don’t have any factual evidence that it is true. Perhaps the press should ask these police chiefs of Arcata (I don’t understand how Arcata had 3 chiefs unless there has been a rapid turnover ) and the “city official” if they said the DNA was on the knife, and if they did, how they knew that. Presumably there is a report in the file from whoever tested the knife for DNA. It would be useful to read that report to see if it really says the DNA is there, and if the DNA is there, it would be useful to know if there are other facts which prevent that from being conclusive evidence of guilt. Maggie Fleming is not, in my opinion, a DA who would turn down a murder charge if the evidence were there. That both the DA and the Grand Jury have examined the evidence and filed no charges really does suggest that the evidence is simply not strong enough to bring charges. Since the case is still being investigated (APD asks for tips from public) I doubt the public is going to find out what the evidence is unless and until charges are filed against someone and there is a Preliminary Hearing at least, and possibly a trial. That’s frustrating. But I don’t think it is a failure of the DA and Grand Jury to do their duty.
I do have a certain amount of faith in the legal system Ed. Sometimes it is up to the citizenry to say, what the Fuck??
I’m also willing to accept that even if a person is guilty, there might not be enough evidence to prosecute, and that’s better than putting the wrong person behind bars. And if Kyle is innocent, and someone else did it, that’s great. What’s really a shame is that no one is coming forward to tell the truth.
If there truly is Kyles DNA on the knife, well that should lead to a case, if that is true. It would be a shame if it took his Mom speaking out like this to make something happen.
Quite correct. Fleming did forward the case to the DOJ, including the DNA evidence, for expert review and the DOJ’s review was undoubtedly presented in some form to the grand jury. Apparently the DOJ wasn’t nearly as impressed by the DNA evidence as APD was. I’d take the DOJ’s professional opinions over those of the Barney Fifes at APD any day.
Zoelners DNA could have been all over the place he was beat to a pulp.
Under the circumstances of the altercation DNA isn’t enough proof to convict.
Ditto, who else’s dna was on the knife, mrs lawson only wants to here one persons dna, lets here how many of lawsons friends dna was on the knife, lets here the truth.sounds like slander!!!
I had assumed the other DNA was from her son: The boy who was stabbed.
Am I crazy to think that your crazy for missing that?
lol. you’re not crazy.
You assume
Sheesh,
thanks.
Fair question. What’s going to happen if it’s discovered that the suspect is one of the faces in the photos? Game over? Go Eric…
Lawson lost his life based on Lawson’s own decision to participate with his friends in literally physically assaulting a lone individual to the point of unconsciousness, rather than making the infinitely more sound decision to not do anything of the sort. Lawson’s quote in this press release is appropriately applicable, however it works against him. A real man, in the situation that lead to his death, would have de-escalated anger and promoted peace. Or in the very least just walked away. It was, after all, a party and the initial argument was, after all, about a cell phone.
In none of these articles from local media are the terms “self defense” or “justifiable homicide”. However most writers chose in one way or another to chastise the uninvolved and otherwise disinterested surrounding community for absolutely nothing. It’s an amazing and very unfortunate story any way you look at it.
Kyle choked out an 18 year old girl at a party a wknd or 2 before this. She was too terrified to press charges. The DA is partly why she wouldnt. Hes part of the aryan nation crew in mckkkville who are buddies with our current sheriff Honsal. Him saying theres no kkk in that area is a known lie and shows hes lying about it. Hes never investigated it he just says they arent there.
Ya cuz they never pass out literature at mckkkville high and the former leader of the kkk didnt hide out there before going to prison. Uh huh.
Fleming needs to GO as do every supe besides sugnome Madrone. Bye bye.
They have all contributed to the downfall of the DA office by hiring a man who hadnt even been in a courtroom in 10 years to work with flemung. He harassed the women in the office and made life so bad there that almost everyone quit. Why did marci kitchen go on her vacations out of country? DA office didnt have enough folks to work. Every single major trial was pushed back at least 6 weeks. The jail got so full because there were few to no arraignments happening. So people were just getting let right back out. Total DA/supe to blame.
The lack of justice here is ridiculous esp if you’re hurt or killed by the good ole boys circle of friends. Ive been threatened with a gun in front of sheriffs and they laughed bcuz it waa their buddy saying it. I was standing on the side of a county road.
How many of us know someone found murdered here who maybe got a 2 week investigation if that?
NAME THEM
Gypsy David Chain
Stephanie Gawboy
Jungle&his travel companion
Chris
1. There was no such man harassing anyone.
2. That’s not why people leave.
[edit] Accusations that are unsubstantiated. Watch yourself
I’m guessing you’re a cop. And placing that “watch out” at the end there sure seems like a cop/bully threat. Not sure how that could survive moderation. Kim, you on this?
I think “Watch yourself” is in the sense of “hey, dude, you might want to look to how you are behaving.”
I don’t get it!!! why cant I post that [edit]?
Because “rules”…https://kymkemp.com/2018/05/20/commenting-rules-on-redheaded-blackbelt/
Because “rules”, actually made me laugh for allot longer than it should have. Thanks for that.
if kyle is kkk and he has kkk buddies why didnt they come with him to murder a poc? not making sense. sounds like you are making things up. making you sound bad
plus isnt kyles girlfriend of mexican decent? and even if she isnt she was still attending a brothers united party, wouldnt that be against the rules?
If, if, if, if, if!!! If there was a god Josiah would still be alive today. IF……………………………..
Mckinleyville is a nest of druggies and low life hicks. Sorry to the good people of mckinleyville, which there are also plenty, but they will likely agree with me. And Kyle has guilty written all over him. Time will tell.
Nope, I live here and have never had issues with tweekers or hicks, see some just like every town, but willow creek now…ha ha
Lol, yeah someone from willow creek dissing mack town is pretty hilarious. This WC guy is a bit obsessed with this case though. His heart tells him the white kid did it.
This is heartbreaking for the young man’s family and friends and mystifying to the larger community.
Maybe Becerra’s office can do a better job than Fleming’s. Perhaps APD’s & Fleming’s office lack of acuity means the Grand Jury didn’t get all the evidence that could have been gathered early on by the two offices, thus their verdict.
Mystifying? The DA went the extra mile in having the case reviewed by the DOJ before presenting it to the grand jury. APD thought they had forwarded a slam-dunk case but apparently that opinion did not withstand expert review at the DOJ and the grand jury found out about it.
All the things we don’t know and yet have opinions about. Why did the Arcata police just release these pictures? We don’t know if they just came into possession of them or not.
DNA on the knife alone does not make a strong enough case against anyone for there are too many ways it could have gotten there.
Someone can only be tried once for murder and I think the DA is wise to wait until she has a case that is very strong and can not be argued away.
A witness would be most helpful and I do hope they will come forward. Everyone is waiting. Justice is waiting.
actually you can be tried for murder more than once. you can only be convicted of murdering a specific person once (double jeopardy)
“Double jeopardy is a procedural defence that prevents an accused person from being tried again on the same (or similar) charges and on the same facts, following a valid acquittal or conviction.[1] As described by the U.S. Supreme Court in its unanimous decision concerning Ball v. United States 163 U.S. 662 (1896), one of its earliest cases dealing with double jeopardy, “the prohibition is not against being twice punished, but against being twice put in jeopardy; and the accused, whether convicted or acquitted, is equally put in jeopardy at the first trial.”[2]”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_jeopardy
sir you are correct. i was thinking about statue of limitations. i believe there is no statue of limitations on murder. but umm was kyle ‘tried’ because i dont think he went to trial, so can they still take him back to court? anyone?
Yes they can. He wasn’t tried. He was only held until the judge determined there was not evidence to warrant a trial.
There is no statute of limitations on murder.
Sounds like slander!
Sounds like a bad comment
Go mama bear! Justice in dumbdolt is a complete joke. Your statement was concise, logical. I will pray for justice for your baby boy, and peace for you. He was a good boy too. My heart hurts for you, as a mother.💙🙏🌹
I must point out something that is, to what I see, wrong in Ms. Lawsons press release. I’m pretty sure I see white people in the pictures.
In the article Kym posted there were 5 photographs.
Starting at the top I see a white girl with a beanie and a skateboard. A white guy is behind her dressed in all black.
The next 3 photos are of mostly black people, the skateboarding white girl is in background of photo #2.
The last photo is of a bearded white guy, looks reddish haired to me. But that could be the bad photo quality.
https://kymkemp.com/2019/03/27/apd-requests-publics-help-identifying-potential-witnesses-in-stabbing-death-of-david-josiah-lawson/
Ms. Lawson, you might want correct your statement. It will be helpful to you to be as accurate as possible. Especially when you have DNA facts.
I sympathize with your plight. I’m sorry for your loss. I truly hope your and your son’s justice comes around soon.
Agreed. It really is tragic. But race has nothing to do with it. Only because others wanted it to be.. The most popular publix opinion i think is that the murderer is still at large and probably of the same skin tone as the murdered.. Sucks everyone isnt colorblknd..
I actually would argue race DOES matter, and its unfortunate.
Stereotyping, profiling, discrimination are all real effects on people’s lives, and not just criminals lives.
I want to make sure that my position is clear on that.
I only point out the photo discrepancy, and the photo discrepancy alone.
In this case, stereotyping, profiling, and discrimination were practiced against Zoellner.
That’s complete bull, and misuse of the meaning of all three of those words/actions. Insulting, too, to the people who actually have to live under those conditions. SMH at the reaching involved in this backward narrative.
Oh, so people haven’t been stereotyping Zoellner? Then what’s all this crap about “McKKKinleyville” and trying to paint Zoellner as some sort of white nationalist tweeker (examples above)? And why has APD tried to ride their flimsy case against Zoellner for nearly two years instead of vigorously pursuing all leads and seeking all possible evidence regarding anyone else’s possible involvement? That’s how long they’ve sat on their dash cam images before using them to develop their investigation in the aftermath of having their case against Zoellner rejected. Resoundingly, twice, and the second time after review of their evidence by the DOJ.
That doesn’t matter because only white people can be racists according to some idiots. Switch the words white with black sometimes and you’ll see their racist agenda very clearly.
Why is there any expectation that an attempt to try a case in the press is going to result in justice? All that will happen is that it will be easy for a defense to raise questions about every bit evidence and every action by the prosecution.
My guess is there’s multiple DNA on that knife, proving that it was involved in the crime that happened. When one guy is being “jumped” by 4-6 others there’s gonna be lots of DNA. On a positive note .( this is rare for me). I hope that the mother does get some closure on this and that the murderer , if that’s the case, is brought to justice , white OR black. Accident? Self defence? Or murder? I belive we will never know……like you say, all of this over a phone is ridiculous,on both sides.
For once, I agree with you. My heart goes out to Charmaine Lawson who does of course have some very valid questions and concerns that have NOT been answered by local law enforcement officials, which is an ongoing embarrassment to the local community. Seriously, it is long past time to CLEAN HOUSE whereas these incompetent local Barney Fire/Inspector Clouseau Keystone Cops are concerned. They have to go IMMEDIATELY!
And a missing cell phone led to all of this? Hey, young people, just a word of advice… Next time you lose your cell phone, go buy another one! If you don’t have any money to buy a new cell phone, then go GET A JOB! (Seriously, the Unemployment Rate is under 4% – no excuses you lazy, freeloading bastards!)
I wonder what Charles Darwin would have to say about the people at this party? And, no, that is NOT intended as a racial comment (I figured that caveat was necessary considering how many reprehensible right-wingers have misused this issue to spread their racist B.S. 💩 in this blog’s comments section and elsewhere).
The Darwin reference is intended to highlight the subject of “natural selection”. What else can you say about a group of IRREDEEMABLE IDIOTS ON BOTH SIDES who unnecessarily escalated a VERY MINOR situation over a cell phone into this foolish, murderous fiasco? Sometimes, some people have to go for the sake of the species. I realize how harsh that is, but Mother Nature, as some say, is a b***h. I suspect Mr. Zoellner and his girlfriend, being the irredeemable idiots they are, will provoke some similarly insane B.S. 💩 in the future, at which time they themselves may suffer the same unfortunate fate as Mr. Lawson.
Forwarding the case to DOJ for review is exactly what the DA did after receiving it from the APD. That is why it took months for the system to act upon it after it was turned over by the APD. The APD thought the DNA made a slam-dunk case and apparently the DOJ disagreed.
Let me get this straight? Your son was beating a man bloody, short of killing him, and now you want to send him to jail? What jury is going to convict someone of “murder” if he was at fault for pulling a knife in self defense, if he was the one?
Yep when you murder someone with a knife during a fistfight, it’s illegal. Imagine that?
You repeatedly try to paint the picture of Lawson and Zoellner squaring off, going toe to toe. How many times do I need to correct you by saying that is not the case? Zoellner was jumped by multiple assailants, according to multiple press releases, evidence, etc. Please, Willow Creeker, go back and read the damn witness testimony already, you make yourself look bad by posting unsubstantiated claims that have been formed by your own biased opinion. And I believe it would be self-defense. If my old ass got jumped by three big dudes, they would be gutted from naval to neck like a damn salmon. And it would be justified self-defense.
He doesn’t read, but he “feels” really good.
I like how the race of the potential witnesses is somehow an issue. This imaginary racism is getting over the top. Why were pictures of black people distributed? Probably because the pictures were distributed and the people happen to be black.
Some people can’t pull themselves away from the victim olympics.
Whatever.
She lost me when she capitalized both black AND brown .
And the link to the article (among the many related to this case) notably omitted, was the one where Ms Lawson attempted to make the tragic fatality on 101 of two young women in sohum , ALL about HER /her son /RACE.
https://kymkemp.com/2018/04/15/two-killed-in-fatal-accident-friday-were-friends-of-david-josiah-lawson-says-lawsons-mother/
It highlights how hungry for attention she is. Or as “chairokee” remarked , ”
…”shame on mom lawson looking for more publicity by bringing in the tragic loss of the two girls into her personal twisted agenda….”
My take? No charges have ever been filed because there isn’t enough hard evidence . One can allege all sorts of things, and even have circumstantial claims, but that is not what builds a successful criminal case.
And one note, if you bother to consult a legit dictionary you would learn what constitutes “murder.” It involves *mens rea* ie: intent and a premeditation. Simply because a life was lost it does not constitute murder.
By all accounts David was involved in beating a man senseless.
Dear Josiah’s mom, you raised a son who is so openly racist he had a video of two black men in white face openly mocking white people on his Facebook page that he posted days before his death. You raised a son so violent that he jumped a single man with four other friends and beat him to a bloody pulp. It’s no surprise the person who your son was beating blood was everywhere, your son was a violent criminal who died while committing a violent crime. It’s mind-blowing how much money and resources and time you’ve wasted trying to find the person who stopped your son from violently killing another person. What is wrong with you, how do you still think you are seeking Justice. Why aren’t you out there fighting Against Racism, the racism you must have instilled in your son to make him such an anti cop racist person. why aren’t you out there teaching young men to not jump one person 5 on one over a f****** phone.
This should be a lesson to all people that if you jump someone with your friends you might die while assaulting them. They actually have the right to kill you to protect them self and we all saw Kyle’s photo, your son would have killed him if someone hadn’t killed your son to save the person that he was beating up for over f****** phone. Leave our community alone, we’re tired of you peddling your racist s*** and then claiming we’re racist. I have zero friends that would ever put a video of someone wearing white or black face and mocking another race, get your racist s*** and illogical accusations out of our community. Stop wasting our precious police’s time they have so many unsolved murders to solve from people who weren’t committing violent crimes while they were killed. This is beyond ridiculous leave us alone and change your other son not to be a racist violent person and maybe he won’t be killed in self-defense either.
Boom! Spot the fuck on! Bonnie Blue would do well to read this.
This /\ is the truth
Hmmmm well said J
But, but only white people can be racists!
i could be wrong but i am too lazy to look it up right now, but i remember reading that the other dna on the knife was not kyles and they didnt know whos dna it was. and it wasnt kyles knife. it sounds like the mother just wants kyle to go down and she sounds very racist based on her comments to race at a race based groups party that her son was a part of (brothers united)
That’s my recollection as well and the core reason why Zoellner wasn’t held for trial from the begining.
That was a fingerprint that didn’t match Zoellner, not DNA. We will probably never know the full story of DNA on the knife unless the case goes to trial. Apparently the DNA evidence did not impress the DOJ reviewers.
Ok, that fits. No evidence that tied the knife to Zoellner. First no fingerprint and secondly not a conclusive DNA match (presumably) to bring charges.
And some of us keep saying…perhaps it was one of Josiah’s friends who accidentally stabbed Josiah while trying to stab Kyle? But we were never allowed to compare their fingerprints or DNA to the sample to discount them as suspects. Josiah’s friends had gang-beaten Kyle into unconsciousness and should have been arrested for that brutal assault. If they had been properly arrested then they would have been processed and we would have their fingerprints and DNA. Have they come forward to submit these in an honest attempt to help the investigation? No. So this alternative theory -of one of Josiah’s friends killing him- remains valid. The reason they were not arrested? Many suspect it has to do with APD wanting to appear NOT racist. That’s why they did not do their proper job. So yes- it IS racist. Only not how Josiah’s mother keeps saying that it is…Have these friends step up and submit their fingerprints and DNA. That is where the pressure should be applied. Then I will start listening to her again…Yet I suspect that even asking them for this is again somehow “racist” and how dare I even say it
Excellent point about APD’s failure to look into the obvious crime against Zoellner impeding their investigation of the stabbing. The Barney Fifes decided to play politics rather than conduct a thorough investigation with the result that they went up a blind alley. I wonder what the new Chief thinks of the situation he walked into, left behind by Wiggums Chapman.
It really doesn’t make sense that one of his friends killed him. He was stabbed repeatedly… that’s not accidental. It makes a lot more sense objectively that the kid who was getting his ass kicked, in front of his girlfriend, ran back to get his knives that he had in his car (who drives around with a set of knives?) and the kid who choked a girl unconscious at a party a few weeks before, went back and stabbed the kid who beat him in a fist fight.
It further fits in that his friends are now floating self defense in these threads. I’m open minded to hear facts and change my opinion. But usually the simple answer is the right one. I don’t see any evidence to change my opinion.
Adrenaline, cocaine, testosterone, and booze often impede rational behavior.
pepper spray…
chefs drive around with their own knives. and the knife wasnt one in his set, plus the knife had fibers that didnt match kyles clothes. and no one said they saw kyle go back to his car so you would be implying he walked up with the knife then put it under a car while he was unconscious.
Define “set” to me.
As a former Soux chef I had a set of Henckels Int. knives, but they weren’t the only knives in my knife “bag”.
The problem with your scenario. It is based on no evidence. First, the investigators stated the knife was not Zoellner’s. Second, there is no evidence Zoellner has or was connected to a white Supremacist group. And the choking of a woman has not been verified by anyone including the police. That was just a false claim by someone who wanted to make it look like Zoellner was the guilty. There have been so many lying Trumpsters posting outright lies. And unfortunately MS Lawson is one of them. Where are the hard facts? You don’t get DNA from fingerprints. DNA comes from cells, like skin or blood cells.
I dont know if your responding to me.
But I did not put forward a scenario if you are responding to me.
A Sous-chef who cannot even spell sous-chef? [edit] There is no word soux. Dee-ta-dee…………………..
The phone actually auto-spelled Sioux, apparently Sioux is typed more than Sous.
I thought I had fixed it
Please, excuse the typo. Thanks for pointing it out.
Beat him in a fist fight, give me a break he was brutally beaten by several people. Not a head to head fight.
What’s wrong with Brothers United?
I visited their webpage at HSU, and it looks like a fine idea in concept.
But what dont you like about Brothers United?
Sounds like a rather perfunctory analysis at best.
Why not go on campus and check them out in person? That’s what I did recently. Adjacent to their table at the southeast corner of the quad, I watched and listened to three of them for a while. At one point, an administrator approached and attempted to engage with them. None of the three was willing to conduct themselves with even basic civility. Each one, an adult, was arrogant, dismissive, and disrespectful. In my work, when adults (rarely) choose to engage in such behavior, I politely inform them that such conduct is not sufficient for interaction and ask them to either make a different choice of behavior or leave. Based on this empirical evidence with Brothers United, they are not welcome in my community. The semester is still in session. Go check it out for yourself.
No thanks. I’m in Trinity. I will happily go meet and greet them, on film, ask a question or 3 of yours and post it on YouTube if your willing to contribute to the efforts. By contribute I mean pay me.
I have no idea what or who you are. Your anecdotal story is far from a reason to say “get out of town” in my opinion.
If your slightly objective in describing your encounter then at most it sounds like they could have had better representatives present.
Dear Ms. Lawson:
As has been abundantly clear from the very beginning, you and your few and ever dwindling ragtag group of supporters have been relentless about seeking to use the court of public opinion to deal with this matter. Your have chosen to shamelessly ruin reputations in the process. Feel free to continue and you’ll get the same results: A dry well and credibility and legitimacy that remain at zero.
As a reminder, the facts of this matter by way of the administrative and judicial process are as follows:
1. On May 5, 2017, Judge Reinholtsen dismissed all charges against Mr. Zoellner. The 4.5 day probable cause hearing was a complete failure, a charade, and the judge sent the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office packing.
2. On March 13, 2019, the criminal grand jury chose to indict nobody.
You are not welcome in Humboldt County. Condolences to you.
Demanding gets a person no where no matter what they think. I think everyone is really tired of this. If DOJ and the Grand Jury didn’t go forward then there is a problem with the evidence and the witnesses no matter what is demanded.
As someone who raised 4 boys through Mck. High, and someone who embraces, (literally and figuratively) people from all cultures, colors and persuasions, I must say something for the parents and students at all the high schools and colleges, something that will really peeve off some folks, but it is undeniably the truth. It is this: Our dear children, my dear child, you will never get injured or killed at 3AM at a “birthday party”, where people have been drinking since 5 PM the day before, if you are not at that party at 3 AM, where everyone there has obviously had too much to drink.
We should all work towards a world where we are all safe from all people at all times and we all love each other, but that is not our world right now. In the meantime, my dear child, you will never get hurt at 3 AM at…..etc.
As usual, most of these comments are made by one person agreeing with himself. It’s the most pathetic commenting tactic I’ve ever seen. If you have to multiply yourself to make your point seem plausible, you’re weak.
I saw several white people in the photos. There were black people there. Does that mean their presence, and story should be invalid and ignored? Thats an unrealistic expectation. They shpuld be questioned about that night just like everyone else that was there.
Why didn’t Ms. Lawson include a phone number to call with any new info? Not even her lawyer’s number.
“Why – after two years – is the APD just now trying to identify people in attendance at the birthday party? This is beyond negligent.”
Very good question, Charmaine, and the only worthwhile thing in your statement. But would you have supported APD in turning over these other stones in a timely manner while the Zoellner theory was still in play?
Looking less and less like a grieving mother and more and more like a diva.
In Charmaine Lawson’s complete self absorption, she remains entirely ignorant of the pain and suffering that she and her supporters are still causing more than 2 years after the murder. Namely:
I live close to where the mayhem and murder took place. When I go for a walk in my neighborhood, I walk by the house, I walk by the roundabout, a makeshift memorial, in the center of which people are still routinely placing things related to the victim.
Charmaine Lawson joins at the hip the army of careless and arrogant people, including her son, who willingly got together in my neighborhood on April 14-15, 2017 to do violence and murder and every day since then, force those of us who had nothing whatsoever to do with the ugliness to be reminded of it. She continues to be a scourge on my neighborhood and the community. Thanks for nothing, Charmaine Lawson. Stop harassing my neighborhood. Feel free to stop by each home and apologize. It ain’t all about you.
Forgive me, but are you comparing :
– having to look at memorials
Vs.
– not knowing who killed your son
I mean, if you take a step back, that’s what its sounding like.
On the flip side, your neighborhood having an unsolved murder reputation can’t be all too good either.
Bullying and discrediting this mother into silence seems to be the mission of some of these commenters. ( it’s actually mostly one commenter pretending to be different people) Telling this mother to shut up in so many words is disturbing , but that’s what this person is doing in an attempt to control the narrative.
Thank you, Brian.
How is harassing the neighborhood an acceptable behavior?
The mind bending grief of not knowing who is responsible in your child’s death is not unique to Ms Lawson. There are frustrated parents of countless unsolved murders /disappearances and they find ways to cope without …”
be(ing) a scourge on …neighborhood and …. harassing… neighborhood.”
It sounds like Terry’s frustration runs a bit deeper than your simplified claim she has to ” look at a (tribute ) memorial ” ….I mean whose that mean?
I would agree. Terry’s frustration does run deep.
“Charmaine Lawson joins at the hip the army of careless and arrogant people, including her son, who willingly got together in my neighborhood on April 14-15, 2017 to do violence and murder”
I had to simplify it a wee bitsy. Just examine that statement Terry made a few times.
*Addition: everyone who is spouting ideas should revisit this post from Kym;
https://kymkemp.com/2017/04/27/family-of-arcata-stabbing-suspect-claims-the-real-killer-has-not-been-caught-includes-timeline-of-events-as-presented-in-public-statements-by-those-at-the-party/
She just ruined the chance of a fair trial. Do you think she knows that?
Mrs Lawson I sympathize with your loss. However your public statemnts maybe causing irreparable harm to Mr. Zoellner, for which you my be liable.
Charmaine Lawson has sunk to ranting, character assassination, and bigotry. Pathetic.
Like you’re doing to her? Seriously, give it a break. Youre puppet show is getting older than old, it’s ancient. We’re all hip to it. Checking in every few hours bullying this mother under a different name every time seems desperate. What is your dog in this “fight” ???????
Per the FBI, in 2017 only 61.6% of homicides nationwide were classified as “cleared”. Unfortunately, Ms Lawson may need to come to accept that it isn’t “racist Humboldt” or a “racist justice system” it might just be that her son’s murder is one of those that won’t be “cleared”. And perhaps placing a little blame on some of the party goers that know something or someone and refuse to speak. The $55,000 reward didn’t get anything. What does that tell you? It’s an inner circle thing.
Justice system is racist. It was set up that way. Justice is blind. They have to live with themselves. You reap what you sow. It may be years down the road. They will get there’s
Personally, I do not blame Charmaine Lawson for pushing for the truth and not giving up.
There is definitely a group of white racist running around McKinleyville. A friend of mine, who is Black, was chased to the edge of McKinleyville by them one day. She was terrified.. It was a group of bikers ganging up on one small female, calling her the worst names. Maybe people do not notice the “racism” running in the town because it’s largely a white community. There are good people in McKinleyville, that would never support or act in such a manner, that is also true. But, really what happened to my friend that day was inexcusable.
This case is to say the least, very complex. And I really hope justice will be served one day. It is very sad things escalated at that party to the levels they did.. and I really hope to never hear of another case like this. It’s hard to think about healing a community with this case open ended like this for certain, and I want to see the truth just as much as anyone… I also wonder why these photos were not released sooner?
I think Zoellner and his Girl were acting and saying things that night to also incite violence, I was not there.. Just my impressions… And, on that one, I guess we do not know who threw the first punches there. It very well could have been Zoellner, and in that case, the other party would be acting in self defense at that point. This is all very sad, and I really hope that it will be sorted out one day..
It was documented in court, people testified under oath, that Kyle Zoellner was not violent and didn’t want to fight. In fact, he didn’t even attend the party, he was at home playing video games. He simply went to pick up his girlfriend and her friends after her phone was stolen. It was stolen because it was never recovered. He simply asked if a phone had been found. Also know, that it was documented that Josiah and his girlfriend were instigators. It was also proven the DNA on the knife was not Kyle’s.
I’m sorry your friend was attacked, that is horrible and no one should be put through that, but it does not give you the right to assume all white people from McKinleyville are this way.
Ms. Lawson and others are pushing the wrong agenda. They are trying to make this about race, when it was never about race. Lila and her friends had been partying and dancing for hours at that party and there was not one single issue, until her phone was stolen. Elijah identified them as “white girls” when Lila is not white. Ms. Lawson wants to know why the APD is releasing photos of black people (it was a Brothers United party, who did she think was going to be there?) I personally feel the police should be talking to the Castillo brothers and Elijah but that’s just my opinion.
As far as Ms. Lawson being told by 3 police chiefs & a city official that Kyle’s DNA is on there… lies. It was proven it was not his. She is so blinded by this being about race that she is not realizing that it was more than likely someone Josiah knows that did it. She needs to come to terms and understand that her son was not this sweet innocent angel she believes he is. Did he deserve to die, absolutely not but when you go around starting fights with people, it’s going to come back on you one day and unfortunately it did.
You are correct.
Small Fry; You almost sound like an attorney trying to paint your crazy idea of what you’d like to sell as the case. No one is fooled by this. First you’re trying to paint McKinleyville as some KKK heaven, which it’s not. End. Let’s now move on to where this took place; ARCATA a town that’s the opposite of being racist. In fact, this took place at a college party. Most white kids in Arcata are either way into Reggae, or rap/ hip hop. Now, this kid Zoellner got stomped out, they really spent some time on him. That was not a one , two and let’s keep it moving type of fight. That was a stomping that took place by a few individuals. From the pictures I see, I’d take a crazy wild guess and say, those are David Josiahs friends. I notice two of the guys easily pushing 6’0-6’3. One of those guys is 300# plus no problem. So some skinny ass kid, is gonna run up on these gangster looking guys and stab their homie?! No, that didn’t happen. You know that didn’t happen. Small Fry, you sound like a boomer who is out of touch with the area and it’s demographics. Where are you getting your data from? This case is the oppisite of complex. Shame on your for wasting this woman’s money. Shame on you!
For the record Fightback..I would just like to state.. I am not an attorney.. I wish..lol.. But, this circumstance with the rasist bikers did happen to my friend. It was actually much worse than I had stated, because they actually stocked her and waited for her to get off work to follow her around and terrorize her… It was really bad, and I was surprised to hear of this altrication, because I know there are people in McKinleyville that would never ever think like that. It may not be the “majority” of people, who are like this… but there is an element there… for certain, and If you are not aware of it, maybe you have never had to experience this, nobody ever should, but now you are aware of it.
As for Kyle and his girlfriend, they must have done something to insight such a rath. I seriously doubt Kyle got hurt for absolutely no reason. Did he deserve such a severe beating, definitely not.. no. But I do not believe Kyle or his girlfriend did absolutely nothing either. At this point, I personally am uncertain if Kyle is the killer or not, and I can understand why the DA is hesitant to press charges.. But at the same time, I do not Blame Charmaine for doing everything a mother can to get to the bottom of this. If it would have been Kyle on the other end of that knife, I would understand and support his family doing the same… I have read the editorials from both sides…
I do appreciate your sentiment Lola, and this is a tragedy, on many different levels. It’s too bad this party escalated to this point. On all levels really. I think up until know, there have been very few instinces like this that have happened, especially compared to many communities across the US….
She’s mostly just a loose cannon at this point
There is a big difference between “definitely his DNA” and “his DNA could not be excluded”, which means it could be his, but could also be several thousand others in the area.
Sounds like Ms. Lawson was either told a white lie by APD to placate her, or she heard it wrong and is now running with it.
Let’s see, don’t want to die? Pro tip – Don’t get in fights. This has carried on way too long for anyone to still possibly care.
Pro tip:
Count the comments before saying no one cares.
Oh, sorry, those of us with triple digit iqs don’t care.
A yet here you are. Pro tip: no one gets out of here alive; fighting or not.
Yep, pro tip. Don’t get into fights.
If Mrs. Lawson wants anything other than the complete and full truth to come out and the legal and law enforcement processes to properly operate, then she is a fraud.
The lady and this story are already well fading from what it all once was. Soon enough, she’ll be alone with her grief and the whole thing will have completely drifted away, much like it has as just another death. People in Humboldt have moved on and as each day passes, it is further in the rear view mirror. She’ll still be holding on. This is how life works.
At an out of control party DNA is going to be everywhere and almost impossible to pinpoint anything to anyone. For that reason a conviction wont be an easy sell to any truly unbiased jury.
To disagree with Lawson’s mother about most anything of relevance, one can expect to be characterized as a racist, bigot, etc., etc., etc. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yawn.