patched to Spear Avenue that early morning? The urgency in the reporting of my son’s case has been very poor from APD. The timeframe from which the autopsy report was submitted was much longer than normal. Also, a year later, we are still waiting for DNA evidence to be completed. My second question to the mayor is, why are we waiting a year later for DNA evidence and how much longer do I have to wait? A growing concern for the safety of HSU students and city of Arcata residents is now in the forefront. My third question to the mayor is, when is Tom Chapman going to be replaced to assure the safety of the residents of Arcata? To the mayor, city manager, and the president of HSU: Why doesn’t my son’s life matter enough? All local resources have been exhausted, so why haven’t you as decision makers reached out to the Department of Justice to come take over the case from APD? And why did Chapman ask for the riot squad to be on standby April 20, the day of my son’s memorial service at HSU? APD’s fear of students of color and lack of accountability seem to play a consistent role throughout this investigation and I worry this may hinder justice being served for my son.
Overall, I am thankful for the support that I have received in pursuing justice for my son DJ. This fight will continue until I get justice for David Josiah Lawson. My son was a loving, caring, compassionate and ambitious man with integrity. He understood that it is not about the quantity in one’s life, but the quality of how you treat others around you. Although this journey has been hard, I will continue to make sure that his legacy lives on. My son was destined for greatness, and that is how he will be remembered. To all mothers who have lost a child, invest your tears. l Editor’s Note: Charmaine Lawson submitted this piece to the Journal on April 9, a day before Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman resigned his post with the city. Reached April 10, Lawson said she stands by the piece and for months had been urging the city to terminate Chapman’s employment. In the weeks after Josiah Lawson’s death, Chapman indicated he’d heard concerns about first responders’ performance and would investigate them after the conclusion of the criminal investigation. For more on the initial response, see the Journal’s May 4, 2017, cover story “What Now?”
northcoastjournal.com • Thursday, April 12, 2018 • NORTH COAST JOURNAL
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