The Lumberjack student newspaper
Charmaine Lawson looks up to the sky at the Arcata Plaza as she speaks to her son David Josiah Lawson on the two year anniversary of his death on April 15. | Photo by Thomas Lal

Two years and still no justice for Josiah

Students and community members gather to remember Josiah Lawson
Translate

Students and community members gather to remember Josiah Lawson

David Josiah Lawson was a son, student and athlete that loved football and skateboarding. His favorite snacks were Oreos, which pair well with his favorite ice cream cookies n’ cream, and he hated math. Josiah Lawson, or as his mother Charmaine calls him, DJ, was murdered on April 15, 2017.

It is a crime that is still unsolved and one that has brought some in the Humboldt community together to demand justice for him and his mother.

LAL.BREAKING.TWO.YEARS.4.16.19.IMG_2145.jpg
Dave Carter who has been going to vigils since the beginning lights candles on the Arcata Plaza in memory of David Josiah Lawson on the two year anniversary of his death on April 15. | Photo by Thomas Lal

On April 15, a group of about 40 people, mostly students and members of Justice 4 Josiah (J4J), gathered at the Great Hall on HSU’s campus to commemorate the life of Josiah. Groups sat around the room chatting, laughing and sharing memories of Josiah.

Charmaine Lawson and Tay Triggs called out trivia questions about Josiah’s life. His favorite Disney movie was the Lion King, his first job was at Dollar Tree, he taught himself to play the guitar, he lived for a year abroad in Germany and absolutely loved skateboarding. There was also a raffle and the main prize was a skateboard.

“Whoever wins the board, please cherish it,” Charmaine Lawson said. “My son loved to ride.”

LAL.BREAKING.TWO.YEARS.4.16.19.IMG_2442.jpg
Charmaine Lawson holds a single rose that was given to her on the Arcata Plaza on the two year anniversary of her son’s death on April 15. | Photo by Thomas Lal

After the raffle and dancing, the students and members of J4J took to the streets and began their march to the Arcata Plaza. Two large banners were carried by students, one of which needed three people to carry it and was about 12 feet wide by 8 feet tall.

The message was painted in red, Josiah’s favorite color, and said “JUSTICE 4 JOSIAH, 2 YRS NO JUSTICE.” The other banner called for the recall of District Attorney Maggie Fleming.

“To hear her say that there is not enough evidence [to prosecute] is a load of crap,” Charmaine Lawson said about the March 13 grand jury decision not to bring charges. “[The prosecutor] presented a self-defense case and that is a load of crap. The evidence is there, but they chose to present it in a way that demanded self-defense.”

Charmaine Lawson has been fighting for justice for her son since he was murdered and led the J4J members to the Arcata Plaza. Chants of “justice for Josiah” rang out across the town and echoed off the buildings. The J4J marchers met in the Arcata Plaza with flowers, candles and about 100 people attended.

LAL.BREAKING.TWO.YEARS.4.16.19.IMG_2088.jpg
Centro del Pueblo organizer Renee Saucedo speaks from the center of the Arcata Plaza to start off the demonstration on the two year anniversary of David Josiah Lawson’s death on April 15. | Photo by Thomas Lal

Renee Saucedo, volunteer organizer with Centro del Pueblo, was the first to speak and stood on the raised flower bed in the center of the plaza where a statue of former president William McKinley once was.

“This is the people’s platform now,” Saucedo said to the crowd. “We will not stop fighting until we receive justice. This County is not capable of handling a fair and just trial.”

Colleen Robinson lives in Arcata and brought her daughter Alana to the vigil. Robinson said that it is important for her daughter to be there and that the entire Humboldt community should be more involved in demanding justice for families of murder victims.

“I think it is unbelievable that is has been two years and no one has been held accountable,” Robinson said. “It seems like none of these murderers are getting very much time.”

LAL.BREAKING.TWO.YEARS.4.16.19.IMG_2314.jpg
Suporters link arms at the request of pastor Bethany Cseh who is a long time supporter of Charmaine Lawson on the two year anniversary of David Josiah Lawson’s death on April 15. | Photo by Thomas Lal

A light mist blew in as the vigil neared its end. Two singers sang the Bob Marley classic “One Love” to soothe the ears of those gathered. The crowd started to disband shortly after the song finished.

In the distance, Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn stood and looked on during the event. Ahearn has attended many of the vigils and has vowed to continue to fight for justice, but he needs more witnesses to come forward.

As the mist turned to a light rain, Charmaine Lawson led a group of J4J members over to Ahearn to ask him about the outcome of the grand jury decision.

Charmaine Lawson asked Ahearn about a witness she said was used to assassinate the character of Josiah. Ahearn said he did not know who the witnesses were that came to testify and stood by the actions of the District Attorney’s office.

LAL.BREAKING.TWO.YEARS.4.16.19.IMG_2584.jpg
Charmaine Lawson and her supporters confront Arcata police chief Brian Ahearn following a demonstration on the two year anniversary of her son David Josiah Lawson’s death on the Arcata Plaza on April 15. | Photo by Thomas Lal

“You are the chief of police…how did you not know this?” Charmaine Lawson asked. “Now that you do know this are you going to have this conversation with [DA Fleming]? Do you see why the Department of Justice needs to take this case over? Do you see that there is no way that my son will get a fair trial here if we have a DA like that?”

Ahearn responded that his goal is to provide more information to the District Attorney’s office.

“That is not good enough,” Charmaine Lawson said. “That is not good enough. Two years today. It has been two years.”

Share This Post

More Stories

Nina G uses comedy to start conversations

During the virtual comedy event held by the SDRC, Nina Ghiselli tells her story and emphasizes the importance of student disability resources within schools.

It’s not just the Capitol Police

As the world watched from their televisions on January 6, we witnessed scenes unfold before our eyes that were, to many, unimaginable: supporters of President Trump swarmed the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, then proceeded to break in and

The San Jose State University Football Team Comes to Humboldt

On a day’s notice from administration, the SJSU football team spends a week and a half in Humboldt practicing because their county did not allow it. Students react to their presence on campus in the midst of a pandemic. Directed

Homelessness in Humboldt, CA

This is the first trailer of a homeless documentary created by HSU students. We have spent months filming and will continue to film throughout the next year. Follow the heartbreaking stories of the homeless community around Humboldt county and the

Thrifty Arcata

Taking a tour of the local thrift shops in Arcata during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed and produced by Skylar Gaven.

House Plants Generate Peace and Meaning During the Pandemic

Three different people with the same love for plants! House plants have become quite popular these days especially since we’re all basically stuck inside during the pandemic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but these beautiful green oxygen-makers provide more

Prop 22 represents political favoritism of money over workers’ rights

California’s passing of proposition 22 on Nov. 5 represents a frustrating history of workers’ rights being trampled by the overwhelming influence of greed in politics.  This proposition forces app-based workers to be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees. This

Remembering Evelyn Andrews 10 months after her passing

By Katelyn Dendas It has been 10 months since my friend, teammate and freshman year dorm mate, Evelyn Andrews, passed away. I don’t remember what the grief counselor said or what transpired after that Monday, but I do remember arriving

Protestors seek to defund HSUPD

Two local, activist organizations work together to stage a sit-in against Humboldt State’s police department.

Getting stuck on the Trump train

Writer Anthony Aragon details his experience of accidentally joining a pro-Trump car rally.

Justin Turner exposes the World Series to COVID-19

Justin Turner didn’t need to be the story in the wake of the Dodgers’ first World Series victory in 32 years. Instead here we are, wondering what sort of, if any, punishment Major League Baseball will decide to hand down

Four more years of fear

News Editor Carlos Holguin explains why he is worried about the next four years.

Dismal democracy

The Lumberjack editorial staff comments on America’s flawed electoral system As the world watches the United States 2020 election results, waiting for our pseudodemocratic process to churn out a new president, historically unprecedented voting methods misrepresents the reported Election Day

The Mario triple pack invokes a nostalgia attack

When I was a child, the first video game system I owned was a Nintendo 64. Among the games I played was Super Mario 64. I played it all the time and when I wasn’t playing it, I was lying

Women’s lacrosse drops their competitive season

Greta Roberts, president and player of Humboldt State University’s women’s lacrosse team, made the decision with her coach and teammates to cancel the upcoming spring season. The team decided that not being able to recruit in the fall would be

Dobby’s proposition opinions

Haven’t voted yet? Well, you’re running out of time. Here’s a quick rundown of California’s propositions on the ballot this year

Corporations buy out propositions

In a series of general and misleading advertisements, corporate backers of Propositions 22 and 23 show their grubby hands

CDOR continues virtually

The Campus and Community Dialogue On Race returns covering global justice for Black Lives.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Local food management practices of the Tolowa Dee-ni, Yurok and other indigenous peoples.

Humboldt State Admin attempts to discredit the Lumberjack

***A Lumberjack editorial represents both the majority opinion of the student newspaper’s editorial board, nine editors, as well as the overwhelming majority of Humboldt State University’s student body. Collectively, an editorial echos, embodies and advocates for community beliefs.*** Insensitive communications

Music of the Moment 6

21 Savage and Metro Boomin drop a classic with “Savage Mode II”

Spartans arrive at HSU despite campus concerns

***Editor’s note: SJSU football program was tested in congruence with Mountain West conference guidelines*** The Spartans have arrived and this time they’re not carrying spears or shields. Instead the San Jose State football team stepped onto the Humboldt State campus

Music of the Moment 5

After shooting Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez cancels himself

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

Comparisons between episodes of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone and our own dismal reality

Music of the Moment 4

YoungBoy Never Broke Again dodges the sophomore slump with his new album “Top.”

Self-Care Cuts

Changing your hair to change your life

HSU Seaweed Farm sets sail

The first commercially-approved seaweed farm in California will be on the map.

Music of the Moment 3

For better or worse, Big Sean is likely gone for good.

More Layers, More Protection?

Humboldt State demands double masking on campus, does more layers equal more protection?

The Ethnic Studies Bill is a Blessing

Ethnic Studies will thankfully become mandatory for all California State University students – as it should be.

The Complex Interface of Humans and Wildfires

How fire suppression is a mixed bag in Humboldt County Every fire season, blankets of smoke roll over Humboldt County. Here on the coast, that’s as close to wildfires as some of us get. But our practice of fire suppression

Defund HSU’s Police Department

Incidents of racism from the former UPD Chief, past examples of excessive force from current officers and a shrinking university budget.

How Not To Be Bitten By A Kitten

Please prepare to be prey Congratulations, a baby feline has recently come into your life. If they’re anywhere from 2-18 months, they bite. They see you as prey. Because you are prey. You always have been. You always will be.

Graduating Into Uncharted Waters

HSU graduates attempt to navigate a world turned upside-down by COVID-19 In May, Humboldt State University graduated hundreds of students, as it does every year. Unlike past years, graduates didn’t get to shake hands with their respective dean and receive

HSU Cultural Center Budget Slashed

Associated Students leaves student body devastated after significant reductions in cultural center’s budget.

All aboard the plague ship

Unprecedented times are met with normalized behavior, HSU puts students and community members at higher risk after reopening campus and student housing.

Music of the Moment

The hip-hop community rallies behind the Black Lives Matter Movement

Inside the Immune System

How the body uses multiple levels of defense against foreign intruders

Catcalling Can’t Continue

Verbal harassment toward women is about control and the assertion of gender discrimination