Humboldt District Attorney candidates address David Josiah Lawson case

EUREKA, Calif. — For five years, Charmaine Lawson has been fighting for justice for her son David Josiah Lawson, the Humboldt State University Student killed during a party.

Lawson is speaking out on a renewed call as Humboldt County elects a new district attorney.

"It's been five years, right. since my son has been stolen was stolen from us," Lawson said. "I just pray that they care about social justice as it relates to the black and brown community in Humboldt County."

Lawson has been a vocal critic of Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming and her handling of her son's case. Fleming announced she would not be running for reelection. Three candidates are now vying to be the next district attorney, a race Lawson said is very important to her.

"We want to make sure that the new district attorney, hears our concerns, definitely listens to our concerns, takes them seriously," Lawson said.

Michael Acosta, Stacey Eads and Adrian Kamada are the three Humboldt County DA candidates. All three met with North Coast News individually to talk about how they would handle the case if elected.

"I think we simply file charges. Again, I've heard from another forum that there's new evidence in the case that there's weapon evidence, DNA evidence, you simply refile it," Acosta said. "The district attorney has not done all that they could in this case and I really disfavor going to the Attorney General's office."

"As the district attorney, I will do an independent review of the evidence, take any of the advice and insight that perhaps might come our way from the Attorney General's office and how the case can be prosecuted, if it can be prosecuted. And it's my hope that we can ultimately prosecute it and bring justice for Josiah," Eads said.

"What I will do is make a promise that when I go into the DA's office, I will independently review the file," said Kamada. "Setting a timeline for 30 days to make a decision on charging and once I'm in office, and then next steps that we need to take in talking with our Arcata police and others, what else we can do."

Lawson said she has met with Kamada is working to coordinate a meeting with Eads regarding the case and has not yet been in contact with Acosta. Lawson said she's not officially enforcing one candidate over another when we spoke with her, but had a message for Humboldt County voters.

"Vote for who you know is going to care about your family, your family's well-being because a district attorney, again is supposed to be the voice for you," Lawson said.