One of the three men allegedly involved in the beating of a Nickerson man is again scheduled for court in front of Judge Tim Chambers after a last minute continuance on May 7.
The hearing is over a motion to suppress in the case against Zachary Lawson. The case is scheduled for a jury trial on July 2. The issue is whether law enforcement had probable cause for a search when they allegedly found him to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and anabolic steroids. The defense contends they didn’t, while the state sees it the other way. Judge Tim Chambers has tentatively denied the defense motion, however did agree to watch a video to see if it matches what a detective testified to in court. These crimes allegedly occurring back on September 11, 2011.
Lawson also faces other charges including aggravated kidnapping, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and criminal threat.
The case against Lawson, Palmer and Jedrik Smith centers on 28-year-old Larry McVey reporting that he had been kidnapped, beaten and robbed by the three men back on September 8, 2011.
Co-defendant Jeremia Palmer who entered a plea agreement with the state is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday over a number of cases according to the docket provided to the media by the D-A’s office. However we have been waiting the results of a mental exam for Palmer before he will be sentenced, so that could still be delayed.
Smith was sentenced to 196-months for two cases against him including the kidnapping case.