Lawson video allegedly surfaces
Mother of stabbing victim says it will be submitted to authorities
The fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old Black Humboldt State University student three years ago has never resulted in anyone being put behind bars, but that might change depending on what a potential video of the stabbing shows.
On Thursday, Michelle-Charmaine Lawson, the mother of David Josiah Lawson, posted on the Justice for David Josiah Lawson Facebook page that someone reached out to inform her they had a video of her son’s stabbing. The individual was afraid to reach out, but was inspired to do so after seeing an earlier post featuring four women who were allegedly involved in the fatal stabbing.
“Seeing these four again brought him to tears he cannot stay silent anymore,” Lawson wrote. “This is what my family has been waiting for.”
Lawson wrote she would be taking the video to the state Attorney General’s Office and wanted charges pressed against the four women, as well as the McKinleyville man who was initially arrested in relation to the fatal stabbing, Kyle Zoellner. A preliminary hearing for Zoellner in 2017 did not provide enough evidence for the judge to order a trial.
David Josiah Lawson was stabbed at an offcampus party the night of April 15, 2017, after a racially charged fight broke over a cell phone that had gone missing.
The Humboldt County Criminal Grand Jury also found there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute Zoellner, resulting in Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming declining to indict him.
The Attorney General’s Office previously declined to take over the case.
Michelle-Charmaine Lawson could not be reached for comment and District Attorney Maggie Fleming did not respond to a request for comment by the publishing deadline.
Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn said he hadn’t yet seen a copy of the video and couldn’t comment on whether it would provide additional information the department’s not aware of or corroborate information that has been provided by other witnesses, he said.
“Any information could potentially move us closer to getting this back in the courtroom, including this video,” Ahearn said. “And we’re more than excited to receive a copy of it.”
There were more than a hundred people at the party where Lawson was stabbed, Ahearn said, but the police department has interviewed less than half that number of people. Anyone with additional information about the party is encouraged to come forward, he said.
“I know we’re going to get this done,” Ahearn said. “I’m so confident. I can’t predict when, but if in fact what was posted on the Justice for Josiah Facebook page is true, then that could potentially be huge in getting this thing back in court.”
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Arcata Police Department’s tip line at 707825-2590.