Lawson still faces trial for a double homicide he allegedly committed in April 2011. Charles “Eddie” 58, and Debbie Phillips, 54, were shot to death outside their home on Leatha Lane on the evening of April 19.
According to Assistant District Attorney General Stephen Hatchett, the trial for the double-homicide is scheduled for later this year.
Lawson reportedly stabbed Travis Millard outside Bonnie’s Talk of the Town located on Georgetown Road.
Millard and his brother had been inside the bar with their girlfriends playing pool when an argument between the parties broke out. All were asked to leave the establishment.
Randy Rogers was the defense attorney for Lawson. During his opening statement, Rogers said Millard had “stabbed himself” as the argument reportedly escalated outside the bar.
Lawson reportedly left the scene, but went to Cleveland Police Department later and spoke with Lt. Robert Harbison. He was then arrested on the warrant filed by officer Billy Cochran for aggravated assault.
“The victim (Millard) is understandably upset with the outcome but I am sure the jury did what they felt was right. Mr. Lawson will remain in jail pending his trial in September on two counts of first-degree murder,” Hatchett said.
According to reports, the shootings at the Phillips’ home stemmed from a domestic situation. Lawson was reportedly the father of the Phillips’ grandchild.
Lawson was alleged to have shot the couple, then fled the scene. Investigators established Lawson as a suspect and he had reportedly left the scene driving a maroon SUV.
Lawson was found in Hamilton County at a business hours later and has been housed at the Bradley County Jail since his arrest pending the aggravated assault trial and the upcoming murder trial.
In other court news, an alleged homicide trial for a Bradley County man accused of killing his wife has been reset and a man convicted earlier this year after he sexually assaulted a woman has been sentenced.
n Trial for David Keith Daugherty has been postponed until August for the death of Elizabeth Annette Carney.
Daugherty was charged with the murder in July 2011.
Carney’s body was found wrapped in blankets and inside her 6th Street residence. Daugherty fled the area and was eventually arrested in North Carolina, according to reports.
n Bruce Anton Parks was sentenced in Bradley County Criminal Court after being convicted in January of aggravated rape and aggravated burglary.
Parks was sentenced to a total of 31 years.
According to Hatchett, it took only 15 minutes for a Bradley County jury to convict Parks for breaking into a woman’s apartment located on Kelley Street, then sexually assaulting her.
Parks had displayed a silver handgun during the crime, according to reports.
He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the aggravated rape conviction and six years for the aggravated burglary.
Hatchett said the sentencing will run consecutively.
