"We will not rest until Josiah’s killer is identified and held accountable."

The Arcata Police Department would like to thank District Attorney Maggie Fleming and her team for their work on the David Josiah Lawson murder investigation. We would also like to thank the jurors of Humboldt County who committed their time to review this case.

The Arcata Police Department’s goal is to present an investigation to the District Attorney that will meet the standard required by law for prosecution. We respect the decisions that have been made and will go right back to work to identify the suspect who murdered David Josiah Lawson.

“The outcome is disappointing and not what we hoped for. The City brought outside homicide expertise in to complete the investigation. We remain committed to solving this case for the Lawson family and our community. Chief Ahearn has increased staff dedicated to criminal investigations and they will immediately get back to work on this case,” said Mayor Brett Watson of the Grand Jury decision.

The Arcata Police Department will build upon the initial investigation in search of witnesses who have yet to come forward; building leads as new information becomes available. We will not rest until Josiah’s killer is identified and held accountable.

We continue to need the public’s assistance to help identify witnesses who have information that will lead investigators to understand with specificity who is responsible for Josiah’s murder.

Anyone with information regarding the murder of David Josiah Lawson is asked to call the Arcata Police Department at 707-825-2520 or 707-601-6943.

Humboldt County Public Defender Press Release:

Kyle Zoellner would like to thank the jurors of Humboldt County for their consideration and commitment to finding the truth in the Grand Jury matter involving Josiah Lawson. Mr. Zoellner has now been prosecuted twice for a crime he did not commit. Each time the finder of fact has found that there is not even probable cause to believe Mr. Zoellner committed a crime. 

Mr. Zoellner hopes the Grand Jury’s decision will allow law enforcement to investigate the case from a new perspective and seek the truth instead of trying to “hold someone accountable.”   Without truth, there will be no justice.

Related post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/03/criminal-grand-jury-declines-to-indict.html?m=1