News

The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office announced this afternoon that a criminal grand jury convened to hear evidence in the stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson has declined to issue any indictments in the case.

According to the press release, the criminal grand jury convened Feb. 28 and heard testimony from 25 witnesses, including experts in forensics and DNA evidence.

Lawson, a 19-year-old Humboldt State University sophomore, was fatally stabbed April 15, 2017 at an off-campus party. A McKinleyville man, Kyle Zoellner, was arrested at the scene and charged with Lawson's murder but a judge later determined there was insufficient evidence to hold him to stand trial.

Reached by phone this afternoon, Lawson's mother, Charmaine Lawson, declined to comment but said she'll be in Humboldt County this weekend.

See the full press release from the Humboldt County District Attorney's office copied below:

NEWS RELEASE

March 13, 2019

A Criminal Grand Jury was convened on February 28, 2019, to address the stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson.  The jury received testimony from 25 witnesses, including experts in forensics and DNA.  By law, the process included the opportunity for the Grand Jury to subpoena evidence and witnesses.

On March 13, the Grand Jury declined to indict any person in the stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson.  Therefore, no charges will be filed in the case. The District Attorney has notified Mr. Lawson’s family of this outcome.