GUILTY FL - Titus, 10, & John Wayne Lawson, 7, car drowning in canal, Cape Coral, 26 Nov 2020 *arrests*

[everybodhi]

She said they were "looking for alligators" WTH????

Drudy:
Plea: Nolo Contender/Adjudicated guilty. Sentenced to 60 days in jail, credit time served 43 days. Attorney fees & surcharges: $50 cost of prosecution, $50 public defender application fee & $50 Defense attorney costs at conviction. Mandatory Assessments fee $220.

Link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/DocViewer?pdfName=C5D52F88-A102-44CD-9549-144CA79669C7.pdf

Just now reading about this case, the passenger would have gotten a harsher penalty with an unauthorized alligator hunting charge which is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

 

[Niner]

Docket:
08/26/2021 Present By Attorney 87

08/26/2021 In Custody Defendant 88

08/26/2021 Continuance Form Filed 89 1

08/26/2021 Speedy Trial Waived 90

08/26/2021 Court Date Continuance eMailed/Mailed to Case Parties 91


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
12/09/2021 9:30 AM Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

08/26/2021 9:30 AM Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A - continued

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/ViewCase

 

[Niner]

Lawson:

Docket update:
09/08/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition Filed 92 1

09/08/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition Filed 93 1

09/10/2021 Amended Notice of Taking Deposition(s) Filed 94 1

09/10/2021 Amended Notice of Taking Deposition(s) Filed 95 1

10/21/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition Filed 96 1

11/04/2021 Notice of Intent to Rely on Certified Records Filed 97 3

11/04/2021 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 98 1

11/08/2021 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 99 1

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/ViewCase

 

[Niner]

Docket update:
11/09/2021 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 100 1

11/10/2021 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 101 1

11/15/2021 Amended Information and Notice to Clerk Filed 102 5

11/16/2021 Notice of Hearing Filed 103 2

11/17/2021 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 104 1


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
12/09/2021 9:30 AM Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/ViewCase

 

[Niner]

Looks like his trial was cancelled for today, 12/9/21 - he got a new attorney.

Docket update:

12/08/2021 Stipulation Filed

12/08/2021 Not of App/Wrtn Plea of NG/Wvr of App/Dmd Jury Trl Filed


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
12/09/2021 9:30 AM CANCELLED-Order Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A


link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Home/CheckSearch#

 

[Niner]

Has the next date for trial, but no hearings before than - so I'll keep my eye out on this one.

Date Time Hearing Location
02/17/2022 9:30 AM Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

12/09/2021 9:30 AM CANCELLED-Order Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/ViewCase

 

[Niner]

2/3/22 Update: Stipulation filed. 1. The State is considering filing an amended information adding two additional counts of Aggravated Child Abuse Manslaughter (level 10 offenses) which dramatically affects the Defense’s present theory of the case. 2. The parties are actively engaged in negotiations which if declined, will result in the additional charges being filed. 3. Defense counsel severely injured his back. 4. The Defense is scheduling depositions for additional witnesses recently added by the State. 5. Accordingly, the parties jointly request a continuance. 6. Speedy trial is waived.

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/DocViewer?pdfName=03493D22-0C32-4F5B-948C-200629D0A7CA.pdf

 

[Niner]

Docket Update:

12/08/2021 Order Granting Stipulated Motion for Continuance Filed 107 1
01/27/2022 Notice of Unavailability Filed 108 1

02/03/2022 Stipulation Filed 109 1

02/10/2022 Order Granting Stipulated Motion for Continuance Filed 110 1

02/14/2022 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 1


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
04/28/2022 9:30 AM Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

02/17/2022 9:30 AM CANCELLED-Order Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/ViewCase

 

[Niner]

I'm going to post this so I can shorten it up a bit.

Thursday, February 17th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (DUI Manslaughter) (@ 9:30am ET) – FL – Titus (7) & John Wayne Lawson (10) (Nov. 25, 2020, Cape Carola, drowned) – *Kenneth Wayne Lawson III (29/now 30) (father) was arrested & charged (11/25/20) for 2 counts of homicide-2nd degree negligent manslaughter-vehicle, 2 counts driving while license suspended resulting in death & leaving the scene of crash. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Trial was set to begin on 2/17/22 continued to 4/28/22.
Also charged (11/25/20) with 1st degree misdemeanor possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams) [charge dismissed on 12/4/20], 1st degree misdemeanor giving false name by person arrested/detained & 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal mischief (less than $200). [Charges: plead nolo contender; adjudicated guilt]. Plead not guilty. Bond at $100 cash/surety. Case closed.
Crime & court info from 12/8/20 thru 7/9/21 reference post #60 here:
FL - Titus, 10, & John Wayne Lawson, 7, car drowning in canal, Cape Coral, 26 Nov 2020 *arrests*
7/16/21: Filed by Attorney Spellman: Stipulation for Continuance. Order & Adjudged: this matter to be continued to a Trial call hearing on 8/26/21 @ 9:30am with a Waiver of Speedy Trial.
8/26/21 Update: Present by attorney, defendant in custody. Court date continuance of trial-granted. Next trial on 12/9/21. 9/8/21: Notice of taking depositions filed (2). 9/10/21: Amended notice of taking deposition(s) filed. 10/21/21: Notice of taking deposition filed. 11/4/21: Notice of intent to rely on certified records filed. Notice of discovery (Supplemental) filed. 11/8/21: Notice of discovery (supplemental) filed. 11/9/21: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed. 11/10/21: Notice of Discovery (Supplement) filed. 11/15/21: Amended information & notice to clerk filed. 11/16/21: Notice of hearing filed. 11/17/21: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed.
12/8/21: Amended Notice of appearance: attorney Jonathan M. Spellman, amended plea of not guilty. Amended waiver of appearance at arraignment & amended demand for jury trial by defense. Trial was cancelled due to new defense attorney needs more time. 12/8/21: Order on stipulated motion to continue of trial-granted by J. Frank Porter, Circuit Court Judge.
12/12/21 Update: Trial date is now set to begin on 2/17/22. 1/27/22: Notice of unavailability filed. 2/3/22 Update: Stipulation filed. 1. The State is considering filing an amended information adding two additional counts of Aggravated Child Abuse Manslaughter (level 10 offenses) which dramatically affects the Defense’s present theory of the case. 2. The parties are actively engaged in negotiations which if declined, will result in the additional charges being filed. 3. Defense counsel severely injured his back. 4. The Defense is scheduling depositions for additional witnesses recently added by the State. 5. Accordingly, the parties jointly request a continuance. 6. Speedy trial is waived.
12/8/21: Order granting stipulated motion for continuance-filed. 2/10/22: Order granting motion for continuance filed. 2/14/22: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed. Trial is now set to begin on 4/28/22.
*Julia Ann Drudy (31) – 1/15/21: Plead Nolo Contender/adjudicated guilty. Jail time 60 days, 43 days credit plus attorney/court fees. Also Drudy's license will be suspended for one year because it resulted in death.

 

[Niner]

No next hearing date, just trial on 4/28/22.


Date Description Docket#
Number
02/21/2022 Subpoena(s) Returned and Filed 112 to 130

02/23/2022 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 131

02/25/2022 Notice of Taking Deposition Filed 132

02/24/2022 Subpoena(s) Returned and Filed 133 to 136

02/28/2022 Subpoena(s) Returned and Filed 137

02/28/2022 Subpoena(s) Returned and Filed 138

03/07/2022 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 139

03/07/2022 Subpoena(s) Returned and Filed 140

03/11/2022 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 141

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/ViewCase

 

[Niner]

A wise decision....

Docket:

04/08/2022 Notice of Hearing Filed-Change of Plea

04/14/2022 Notice of Unavailability Filed


Date Time Hearing Location
04/28/2022 9:30 AM Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

04/27/2022 10:00 AM Pleas - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

02/17/2022 9:30 AM CANCELLED-Order Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/ViewCase

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, April 27th:
*Change of Plea Hearing (DUI Manslaughter) (@ 10am ET) – FL – Titus (7) & John Wayne Lawson (10) (Nov. 25, 2020, Cape Carola, drowned) – *Kenneth Wayne Lawson III (29/now 30) (father) was arrested & charged (11/25/20) for 2 counts of homicide-2nd degree negligent manslaughter-vehicle, 2 counts driving while license suspended resulting in death & leaving the scene of crash. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Trial set to begin on 4/28/22.
Also charged (11/25/20) with 1st degree misdemeanor possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams) [charge dismissed on 12/4/20], 1st degree misdemeanor giving false name by person arrested/detained & 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal mischief (less than $200). [Charges: plead nolo contender; adjudicated guilt]. Plead not guilty. Bond at $100 cash/surety. Case closed.
Crime & court info from 12/8/20 thru 12/8/21 reference post #69 here:
FL - Titus, 10, & John Wayne Lawson, 7, car drowning in canal, Cape Coral, 26 Nov 2020 *arrests*
2/10/22: Order granting motion for continuance filed. 2/14/22: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed. Trial is now set to begin on 4/28/22. 2/21/22: 19 subpoenas served (#112-130). 2/23/22: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed (#131). 2/25/22: Notice of taking deposition filed (#132). 2/28/22: 2 subpoenas returned & filed (#137 & 138). 2/21/22: Subpoenas Returned & filed (19) (#112-130). 2/23/22: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed (#131). 2/25/22: Notice of taking deposition filed (#132). 2/24/22: Subpoenas Returned & filed (4) (#133 to 136). 3/7/22: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed (#139). Subpoena returned & filed (#140). 3/11/22: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed (#141). 3/15/22: Notice of Supplement discovery filed.
4/4/22 Update: Change of plea hearing on 4/27/22.
*Julia Ann Drudy (31) – 1/15/21: Plead Nolo Contender/adjudicated guilty. Jail time 60 days, 43 days credit plus attorney/court fees. Also Drudy's license will be suspended for one year because it resulted in death.

 

[Niner]

Docket:

04/27/2022 Fingerprints Taken Filed 145

04/27/2022 Credit for Time Served Worksheet Filed 146

04/27/2022 Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet Filed 147


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
04/28/2022 9:30 AM CANCELLED-Case Closed Trial - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

04/27/2022 10:00 AM Pleas - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/ViewCase


The docket didn't give me any info on his sentencing or plea - but found this article.

Father sentenced to 22 years for leaving two young sons to die in sinking car

April 27, 2022
A man adjudicated guilty, is sentenced to 22 years in prison for a crash that killed his two sons after being left to die in a sinking car.

Their father Kenneth Wayne Lawson withdrew his not guilty plea on four charges on Wednesday and changed his plea to no contest.

And with that no contest plea, Lawson was fingerprinted and taken away to prison where he’ll spend the next 22 years behind bars.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Good!!! I hope all he can think about are those sweet little boys. He didn't deserve them.

Lawson was fingerprinted and taken away to prison where he’ll spend the next 22 years behind bars.