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

[kelsie]

This case is just absolutely infuriating. They didn't even attempt to save these kids.

 

[PayrollNerd]

They were too drunk, afraid of gators, lost their glasses, couldn’t swim, anything other than to sit on the bank and not even try to save the boys. Low life’s need to rot.

Fla. Boys Died After Car Crashed into Canal — and Now Dad Is Charged with DUI

Snips:

Lawson is accused of driving drunk with Drudy and his sons in the car on Nov. 25 before crashing his Ford Focus into a canal.

Cape Coral police responded to a call reporting the crash shortly before midnight. Upon arrival, first responders and good Samaritans jumped into the water to save the boys. However, both children died as a result of the crash.

Police believe that evidence shows either Lawson or Drudy got out of the car and left the two boys, identified by WINK and NCB2 as 10-year-old John Wayne and 7-year-old Titus, inside the vehicle.

 

[Lusitana]

They didn't even scream for help or called 911, uh? Wow.

 

[Niner]

Drudy:

Docket:
12/08/2020 Not of Appearance/Wvr of Arrgn/Wrttn Plea NG/Dmd Disc Filed 8 1

12/14/2020 Information and Notice to the Clerk Filed 11 3

12/15/2020 Continuance Form Filed 12 1


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
12/21/2020 1:00 PM CANCELLED-Waiver of Arraignment Arraignment - Gagliardi, Josephine M Courtroom 1-A

01/15/2021 8:30 AM Docket Sounding - Gagliardi, Josephine M Jdge JMG ZoomID(874-998-2525)

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

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, December 29th
*Docket Sounding Hearing (MJ possession) (@ 1:30pm ET) – FL – Titus (7) & John Wayne Lawson (10) (Nov. 25, 2020, Cape Carola, drowned) – only for *Kenneth Wayne Lawson III (29) (father) was arrested & charged (11/25/20) for 2 counts of homicide-negligent manslaughter-vehicle & 2 counts driving while license suspended resulting in death. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Also charged (11/25/20) & arraigned (12/4/20) with 1st degree misdemeanor possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams), 1st degree misdemeanor giving false name by person arrested/detained & 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal mischief (less than $200). Plead not guilty.
*Julia Ann Drudy (31) arrested & charged (11/25/20) with permitting an unauthorized operator to drive. She was taken to the Lee County Jail. Plead not guilty. $10K bond.
The 2 children were traveling in the vehicle that struck a bank late Wednesday (11/25/20) & became airborne before landing & became trapped in the submerged car when it crashed into a canal near Northeast 31st Street & Northeast Fifth Place in Cape Coral. Titus was pronounced dead at the scene, while his older brother & two adult passengers Kenneth Lawson & Julia Ann Drudy) were brought to local hospitals. John Wayne succumbed to his injuries early Friday, 11/27/20 at to Golisano Children’s Hospital. The crash is still under investigation — and criminal charges are expected in the case. Kenneth Lawson & Julia Drudy both face charges in the deadly crash. Lawson faces charges for DUI manslaughter, and Drudy faces a charge for permitting an unauthorized operator to drive.
11/25/20 Update: Case opened by notice to appear (mandatory appearance). 12/1/20 Update: Application for indigent status form filed; waiver of arraignment, written plea of not guilty & demand for discovery filed. 12/8/20: Arraignment hearing was cancelled due to waiver of hearing. Lawson: Next Docket Sounding hearing (MJ poss) on 12/29/20 via Zoom.
12/5/20 Update: Drudy & Lawson’s first appearance. Drudy charged (12/5/20) with permitting an unauthorized operator to drive. Bond set at $10K & next hearing on 12/21/20. 12/8/20: Drudy: Application for Indigent status form. Lawson charged (12/5/20) with 2 counts of DUI manslaughter & driving with a suspended license. Bond set at $550K & next arraignment hearing on 1/4/21.
12/8/20 Update: Drudy: Notice of waiver of arraignment (12/21/20); written plea of not guilty. Next Docket sounding hearing on 1/15/21 @ 8:30am.

 

[Niner]

Lawson - MJ poss:

Docket:
12/29/2020 Bond Hearing Ore tenus motion to set bond - Granted. Bond to be set at $100 cash/surety.

12/30/2020 Next hearing on 2/5/21 @ 9am - see link:
https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/DocViewer?pdfName=36CA482E-6E54-4C44-91A6-D0785A02337D.pdf


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
12/29/2020 1:30 PM Docket Sounding - George, Devin S. Jdge DSG ZoomID(844-888-8717)

12/08/2020 8:00 AM CANCELLED-Waiver of Arraignment Arraignment - George, Devin S. Courtroom 1-A

02/05/2021 9:00 AM Docket Sounding - George, Devin S. Jdge DSG ZoomID(844-888-8717)

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

 

[illyana]

My only question would be to any defense attorney, assistant, legal aide, working on the defense side of this case. Why? Why are you spending your time helping some child-killing get free? What's wrong with you? Do you know what morality is? Do you even know what the word means?

 

[Niner]

Monday, January 4, 2021
*Arraignment Hearing (DUI Manslaughter) (@ 8:30am ET) – FL – Titus (7) & John Wayne Lawson (10) (Nov. 25, 2020, Cape Carola, drowned) – only for *Kenneth Wayne Lawson III (29) (father) was arrested & charged (11/25/20) for 2 counts of homicide-negligent manslaughter-vehicle & 2 counts driving while license suspended resulting in death. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Also charged (11/25/20) with 1st degree misdemeanor possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams), 1st degree misdemeanor giving false name by person arrested/detained & 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal mischief (less than $200). Bond at $100 cash/surety.
*Julia Ann Drudy (31) arrested & charged (11/25/20) with permitting an unauthorized operator to drive. She was taken to the Lee County Jail. $10K bond.
Crime & court info from 12/5/20 reference post #25 here:
FL - Titus and John Wayne Lawson, 7 and 10 years old, drowned, Cape Coral, 26 Nov 2020 *arrests*
12/8/20 Update: Lawson: MJ Poss: Docket sounding hearing on 12/29/20 & Manslaughter: arraignment hearing 1/4/21. Drudy: Notice of waiver of arraignment (12/21/20); written plea of not guilty. Next Docket sounding hearing on 1/15/21 @ 8:30am.
12/29/20 Update: Lawson: MJ Poss: Bond Hearing Ore tenus motion to set bond-Granted. Bond to be set at $100 cash/surety. Defendant remanded. Next docket sounding hearing on 2/5/21 @ 9am via Zoom.

 

[Niner]

Lawson - manslaughter:

Docket:
Date Description Docket
Number Pages Doc Request
View
Doc Request
Certified
Doc
12/04/2020 In Custody 1

12/05/2020 Booking Report Filed 6 18
12/05/2020 Notice of Confidential Information within Court Filing Filed 15 1
12/05/2020 Notice of Confidential Information within Court Filing Filed 16 1
12/05/2020 Victim Information Confidential per Marsy's Law
12/05/2020 Record of First Appearance Filed 20 2
12/05/2020 Certificate of Compliance/FCIC/NCIC Requirement Filed 22 1

12/07/2020 Original Traffic Citation Filed Cnt # 4 2 1
12/07/2020 Original Traffic Citation Filed Cnt # 3 3 1
12/07/2020 Case Opened by Booking Sheet 7
12/07/2020 Mandatory Court Appearance - Fatality 8
12/07/2020 Mandatory Court Appearance - By Offense 9
12/07/2020 Mandatory Court Appearance - Fatality 10
12/07/2020 Mandatory Court Appearance - By Offense 11
12/07/2020 Mandatory Court Appearance - Fatality 12
12/07/2020 Pretrial Disclosure Regarding App for Indigent Status Filed 13 1
12/07/2020 Mandatory Court Appearance - Fatality 14
12/07/2020 Notice of Appearance of Counsel Filed 17 1
12/07/2020 Plea of Not Guilty Filed 18 1
12/07/2020 Demand for Discovery Filed 19 3

12/08/2020 Original Traffic Citation Filed Cnt # 2 4 2
12/08/2020 Original Traffic Citation Filed Cnt # 1 5 2

12/30/2020 Information and Notice to the Clerk Filed 23 5
12/30/2020 TRACK SET TO COMPLEX 24

01/04/2021 Present By Attorney 25
01/04/2021 Continuance Form Filed 26 2
01/04/2021 Notice of Marsy's Law Rights Filed 27 2


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
02/24/2021 10:00 AM Case Management Conference - Porter, J Frank Jdge JFP ZoomID(453-267-9784)

01/04/2021 8:30 AM Arraignment - Branning, Robert J Courtroom 8-B

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

 

[Niner]

Looks like she changed her plea...

Drudy:
Docket:
12/15/2020 Continuance Form Filed 12 1

12/18/2020 Notice of Discovery Filed 13 1

01/06/2021 Notice of Hearing Filed 14 1
link: https://matrix.leeclerk.org/Case/DocViewer?pdfName=C1FB8218-D483-4AE4-960D-22B0D179CDC9.pdf

Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
12/21/2020 1:00 PM CANCELLED-Waiver of Arraignment Arraignment - Gagliardi, Josephine M Courtroom 1-A

01/15/2021 8:00 AM Pleas - Gagliardi, Josephine M Courtroom 3-D

01/15/2021 8:30 AM CANCELLED-Case Closed Docket Sounding - Gagliardi, Josephine M Jdge JMG ZoomID(874-998-2525)

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

 

[Niner]

Friday, January 15th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 8am ET) – FL – Titus (7) & John Wayne Lawson (10) (Nov. 25, 2020, Cape Carola, drowned) - *Kenneth Wayne Lawson III (29) (father) was arrested & charged (11/25/20) for 2 counts of homicide-negligent manslaughter-vehicle & 2 counts driving while license suspended resulting in death. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
also charged (11/25/20) with 1st degree misdemeanor possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams), 1st degree misdemeanor giving false name by person arrested/detained & 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal mischief (less than $200).
Only for *Julia Ann Drudy (31) arrested & charged (11/25/20) with permitting an unauthorized operator to drive. She was taken to the Lee County Jail. $10K bond.
Crime & court info from 12/5/20 reference post #25 here:
FL - Titus and John Wayne Lawson, 7 and 10 years old, drowned, Cape Coral, 26 Nov 2020 *arrests*
12/8/20 Update: Lawson: MJ Poss: Docket sounding hearing on 12/29/20 & Manslaughter: arraignment hearing 1/4/21. Drudy: Notice of waiver of arraignment (12/21/20); written plea of not guilty. Next Docket sounding hearing on 1/15/21 @ 8:30am.
12/29/20 Update: Lawson: MJ Poss: Bond Hearing Ore tenus motion to set bond-Granted. Bond to be set at $100 cash/surety. Defendant remanded. Next docket sounding hearing on 2/5/21 @ 9am via Zoom. 1/4/21 Update: Manslaughter: Defendant present by attorney; continuance form filed. Notice of Marsy's Law Rights filed. Next Case management conference on 2/24/21.
1/15/21 Update: Drudy: Docket sounding hearing was cancelled, case closed. Plea hearing on 1/15/21 instead.

 

[Niner]

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

 

[Lusitana]

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

Right, so she’s pretty much getting out?

 

[Niner]

Right, so she’s pretty much getting out?

Yep! In about 17 days....

 

[PayrollNerd]

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

That’s just so wrong! She swam away and left those sweet boys to perish. They must have been so scared and confused as to why neither piece of trash human was helping them. I hope the court of public opinion crucifies her. What a social pariah she is.

 

[Lusitana]

That’s just so wrong! She swam away and left those sweet boys to perish. They must have been so scared and confused as to why neither piece of trash human was helping them. I hope the court of public opinion crucifies her. What a social pariah she is.

I know. But I expected the father would get the worse punishment. By all accounts, she had no relationship with the children. They were not her sons.

The father was the adult in charge, he was driving. He should’ve swam to get his sons, he should’ve called 911. That’s what fathers do.

Sure, if she had any morals she would’ve at least tried to help the kids too. And calling 911 was the bare minimum. I still don’t understand why they didn’t try to help them in any way.

 

[Niner]

Friday, Feb. 5th:
*Docket Sounding Hearing (MJ possession) (@ 9am ET) – FL – Titus (7) & John Wayne Lawson (10) (Nov. 25, 2020, Cape Carola, drowned) – *Kenneth Wayne Lawson III (29) (father) was arrested & charged (11/25/20) for 2 counts of homicide-negligent manslaughter-vehicle & 2 counts driving while license suspended resulting in death. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Also charged (11/25/20) & arraigned (12/4/20) with 1st degree misdemeanor possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams), 1st degree misdemeanor giving false name by person arrested/detained & 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal mischief (less than $200). Plead not guilty.
Crime & court info from 12/5/20 reference post #25 here:
FL - Titus and John Wayne Lawson, 7 and 10 years old, drowned, Cape Coral, 26 Nov 2020 *arrests*
12/8/20 Update: Lawson: MJ Poss: Docket sounding hearing on 12/29/20 & Manslaughter: arraignment hearing 1/4/21. Drudy: Notice of waiver of arraignment (12/21/20); written plea of not guilty. Next Docket sounding hearing on 1/15/21 @ 8:30am.
12/29/20 Update: Lawson: MJ Poss: Bond Hearing Ore tenus motion to set bond-Granted. Bond to be set at $100 cash/surety. Defendant remanded. Next docket sounding hearing on 2/5/21 @ 9am via Zoom. 1/4/21 Update: Manslaughter: Defendant present by attorney; continuance form filed. Notice of Marsy's Law Rights filed. Next Case management conference on 2/24/21.
*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]

MJ Charge:

Docket:
02/05/2021 Present By Attorney 16

02/05/2021 Speedy Trial Waived 17

02/05/2021 Continuance Form Filed 18 1

02/05/2021 Motion to Withdraw as Counsel Filed 19 1


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
12/29/2020 1:30 PM Docket Sounding - George, Devin S. Jdge DSG ZoomID(844-888-8717)

12/08/2020 8:00 AM CANCELLED-Waiver of Arraignment Arraignment - George, Devin S. Courtroom 1-A

02/05/2021 9:00 AM Docket Sounding - George, Devin S. Jdge DSG ZoomID(844-888-8717)

02/26/2021 9:00 AM Docket Sounding - George, Devin S. Jdge DSG ZoomID(844-888-8717)


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

 

[Niner]

Looks like I missed a hearing on 2/17/21...

Lawson - DUI-Manslaughter

01/26/2021 Notice of Discovery Filed 28 2

02/09/2021 Motion to Withdraw as Counsel Filed 29 2

02/09/2021 Application for Indigent Status/Deter Indigent Filed 30 1

02/10/2021 Notice of Hearing Filed 31 1

02/11/2021 Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) Filed 32 1

02/15/2021 Not of Appearance/Wvr of Arrgn/Wrttn Plea NG/Dmd Disc Filed 33 1

02/17/2021 Motion Hearing M/to withdraw as counsel - Granted. 34

02/17/2021 Present With Attorney CCTV 35

02/17/2021 Court Minutes Filed 36 4

02/18/2021 Certification of Conflict of Interest Filed 37 1

02/18/2021 Order Allowing Withdrawal Of Counsel Filed 38 1

02/19/2021 Not of Appearance/Wvr of Arrgn/Wrttn Plea NG/Dmd Disc Filed 39 1

02/19/2021 Order Allowing Withdrawal & Appoint Regional Counsel Filed 40


Hearings:
Date Time Hearing Location
02/24/2021 10:00 AM Case Management Conference - Porter, J Frank Jdge JFP ZoomID(453-267-9784)

02/17/2021 12:00 PM Motions - Porter, J Frank Courtroom 4-A

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


Lawson - MJ

02/08/2021 Order Allowing Withdrawal Of Counsel Filed 20 1

02/09/2021 Motion to Withdraw as Counsel Filed 21 2

02/09/2021 Notice of Hearing Filed 22 1

02/09/2021 Application for Indigent Status/Deter Indigent Filed 23 1

02/12/2021 Not of Appearance/Wvr of Arrgn/Wrttn Plea NG/Dmd Disc Filed 24 1

02/17/2021 Commitment Form Filed
Ct 3 25 4

02/17/2021 Commitment Form Filed
Ct 1 26 4

02/17/2021 Commitment Form Filed
Ct 2 27 4

02/17/2021 Motion Hearing M/to withdraw as counsel - Granted. 28

02/17/2021 Present By Attorney 29

02/17/2021 Order Granting Withdrawal of Counsel 30 1

02/17/2021 Certification of Conflict of Interest Filed 31 1

02/18/2021 Not of Appearance/Wvr of Arrgn/Wrttn Plea NG/Dmd Disc Filed 32 1

02/18/2021 Order Allowing Withdrawal & Appoint Regional Counsel Filed 33


Hearings:
02/26/2021 9:00 AM Docket Sounding - George, Devin S. Jdge DSG ZoomID(844-888-8717)

02/17/2021 8:00 AM Motions - Swett, H Andrew Courtroom 3-D

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

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, Feb. 24th:
*Case Management Conference Hearing (DUI Manslaughter) (@ 10am ET) – FL – Titus (7) & John Wayne Lawson (10) (Nov. 25, 2020, Cape Carola, drowned) – *Kenneth Wayne Lawson III (29) (father) was arrested & charged (11/25/20) for 2 counts of homicide-negligent manslaughter-vehicle & 2 counts driving while license suspended resulting in death. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Also charged (11/25/20) with 1st degree misdemeanor possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams), 1st degree misdemeanor giving false name by person arrested/detained & 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal mischief (less than $200). Plead not guilty. Bond at $100 cash/surety.
Crime & court info from 12/8/20 reference post #37 here:
FL - Titus and John Wayne Lawson, 7 and 10 years old, drowned, Cape Coral, 26 Nov 2020 *arrests*
12/29/20 Update: Lawson: MJ Poss: Bond Hearing Ore tenus motion to set bond-Granted. Bond to be set at $100 cash/surety. Defendant remanded. Next docket sounding hearing on 2/5/21 @ 9am via Zoom. 1/4/21 Update: Manslaughter: Defendant present by attorney; continuance form filed. Notice of Marsy's Law Rights filed. 2/9/21: Motion to withdraw as Counsel filed. Application for Indigent status. 2/11/21: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed. 2/15/21: Notice of appearance, waiver of arraignment; written plea of not guilty. Demand for discovery filed. 2/17/21: Motion hearing to withdraw as counsel-granted. 2/18/21: Order allowing withdrawal of counsel filed. 2/19/21: Order allowing withdrawal & appoint Regional Counsel filed. Next Case management conference on 2/24/21.
2/5/21 Update: MJ Poss: Waived speedy trial. Motion for continuance-granted. Motion to withdraw Counsel: Kathleen A. Smith, public defender; defendant has private attorney Sean C. O’Halloran. 2/9/21: Motion to withdraw as Counsel filed. Application for Indigent status. 2/11/21: Notice of Discovery (Supplemental) filed. 2/15/21: Notice of appearance, waiver of arraignment; written plea of not guilty. Demand for discovery filed. 2/17/21: Motion hearing to withdraw as counsel-granted. 2/18/21: Order allowing withdrawal of counsel filed. 2/19/21: Order allowing withdrawal & appoint Regional Counsel filed. Next Docket sounding hearing on 2/26/21.
*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.