The Lawson case is based on an actual death investigation. As in the case you’ve been investigating, the victim’s husband was charged with murder. The details of the Lawson case (e.g., ballistics, physical evidence, statements made by relatives, etc.) parallel those in the actual case, but the names of the people involved were changed to protect their privacy.

Verdict
In the real case, the husband was charged and convicted of second degree murder. In the criminal justice system, there are different degrees of murder. For example, murder in the first degree would require that the murder had been deliberately planned ahead of time. Second degree murder is an assault that is not planned ahead of time by the killer but where death is a distinct possibility that could result from the assault (as opposed to an accident).

The Prosecution
In the “real life” Lawson case, the ballistics test results for gunshot range were more conclusive than the results in the fictionalized case in this course. Two expert witnesses (a medical examiner and a ballistics expert) testified on behalf of the prosecution and took the position that the decedent was shot from a distant range (or possibly the far end of intermediate range). Given that, their testimony effectively ruled out the possibility of suicide.

In addition, the medical examiner testified that the red abrasions on the decedent’s chest could not have been stippling because there was practically no soot or gunpowder present on the sweater. He explained that the marks on the chest were probably caused by the clothing.

The Defense
The defense hired a highly paid expert witness who took the position that the wife had committed suicide, having shot herself at contact range. The expert explained that the lack of gunpowder particles / soot on the victim’s sweater was due to the mishandling of the sweater by the medical examiner’s office.

The husband was initially sentenced to over 20 years in prison. He appealed his case in court and his sentence was later reduced.

Ask the Expert

Dr. Jeffrey Nine is the Medical Examiner who testified in court on the real-life Lawson case. Click on the links below to ask him questions about the case.

How much of the Linda Lawson case is based on a real case?

What role did you play in the real life investigation?

How did the case play out in real life?

After you have read the case wrap up, click on the Get Help section above for next steps on reflection.