Charmaine Lawson

David Josiah Lawson (DJ) (1997 – 2017)
Facebook: Justice for David Josiah Lawson
 
Subject: Petition
Request for the California Department of Justice to Assume Jurisdiction over the David Josiah Lawson Murder Investigation, Change of Venue and Prosecution
 
Attorney General Becerra,
 
     I am writing to request that the California Department of Justice assume jurisdiction over the murder investigation of my son David Josiah Lawson, request for a change of venue and to file murder charges on the person responsible for my son’s death.
 
     The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office has agreed to transfer jurisdiction of this case to your office. In light of the exposure to nationwide investigation cover-ups, I have initiated a petition on behalf of your constituents requesting that the Department of Justice thoroughly investigate and prosecute this case.  
 
     On April 15, 2017, my son DJ, an HSU student was stabbed to death in Arcata, California. DJ was attending a birthday party when uninvited female guests arrived and began falsely accusing DJ and his friends of stealing a cell phone that they later found.
    
     DJ was sprayed with a bear repellent and then stabbed six times. As my son lay dying on the ground, the suspect’s girlfriend said “I Hope that Nigger Dies!” The suspect was detained and arrested at the scene. He was later charged with murder but no hate crime sections were included.
 
     Due to the incompetent, inadequate police investigation and sabotaged presentation made by the District Attorney’s Office at the Preliminary Hearing, the Judge found that there was insufficient evidence to hold the suspect over for trial.  
 
     A year later, a Grand Jury failed to indict the suspect as-well. Two of those Jurors came forward and stated that it appeared that the prosecutor from the District Attorney’s Office had intentionally provided confusing and misleading jury instructions and provided a Self Defense argument, even though the suspect said that he did not stab my son.
 
     In February of 2020, the National Police Foundation released its “Independent Review of the Police Response to the Homicide of David Josiah Lawson”. The report indicates that Arcata Police failed to properly conduct a homicide investigation, collect, preserve, protect and analyze critical physical evidence at the scene, gather witness statements, identify witnesses and interrogate the suspect. All of which would have been crucial for the prosecution and conviction of the suspect.
 
     Humboldt County is a 74% white community where racism is openly practiced and minorities are not welcomed.  The suspect’s father has worked for Humboldt County for over 20 years. The interrogation of the suspect, who killed my son, lasted a total of 15 minutes even though the suspect had waived his Miranda Rights and was willing to talk. An interview of a shop lifting suspect lasts more than 15 minutes. I feel that racism within the Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office as-well as nepotism has prevented me and my family from receiving justice for my son.  
 
     Although my heart is broken and the grief is compounded by the failure of Humboldt’s judicial system to bring justice to my family, I have given back to Humboldt County in honor of my son. The Lawson family and community members have formed the Justice for Josiah (J4J) Committee. We have held marches, rallies, monthly vigils, annual celebrations of life, supported local businesses, artists, fed the public, and worked alongside other community organizations and stood in solidarity with other civil rights and social justice movements. We have held annual coat drives for those in need and established the David Josiah Lawson Scholarship alongside the Eureka branch of the NAACP.
 
     Mr. Becerra, our country is currently in crisis because government officials have refused to investigate claims of racism and unjust treatment. Hundreds of thousands of citizens across our nation are marching for justice. Many of them are chanting for Justice for Josiah! This case clearly demonstrates a conflict of interest, abuse of power and nepotism. I am pleading with you to hear my cry and take my sons’ case and pursue a prosecution.
 
     Thank you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Charmaine Lawson  

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