Possible new evidence surfaces in Lawson case, Police Chief says investigation continues

ARCATA, Calif. (KIEM)-According to a post on the “Justice for Josiah” social media page, a video showing what happened the night Josiah Lawson was stabbed has surfaced.

Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn says, this is the type of evidence they’ve been waiting for.

“We know that people out there have information that they have just not found an opportunity yet to come forward,” he said. “So I’m hopeful that you know, this video will this case to get back into court.

“We all have the same goal, that’s to get justice in this case. I am aware of the post, I have seen and read the post. I haven’t actually seen the video yet.”

David Josiah Lawson was stabbed to death outside a party on April 15, 2017.

A suspect was arrested the night of the murder but after a few weeks, those charges were dropped when a judge found insufficient evidence for a trial.

Josiah’s mother, Charmaine, hasn’t stopped her fight for justice.

Ahearn says he is working with Charmaine and eventually would like a copy of the video to evaluate from an investigative perspective.

“We need to interview everyone who was there and so far we’ve interviewed half the people who were there,” he said. “So we have a lot of work left to do. We are not going to stop until this case is back into court. So please call our 24 hour tip line,” said Ahearn.

Redwood News reached out to Charmaine Lawson and District Attorney Maggie Fleming for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.

The Justice for Josiah vigil planned for tomorrow has been cancelled due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, according to Charmaine Lawson, through a social media post.

Ahearn urges anyone with information or who was at that party to come forward.

The monitored 24-hour tip line is (707) 825-2590.