Lawrence trial competency reversal

Adams County Judge Steven Dixon ruled March 17 that Lewis Lawrence, the former Moscow resident who was convicted of three counts of attempted murder in Pullman and sentenced to 75 years in prison, was not competent six years ago when he waived his right to an attorney in his trial. The decision by Judge Dixon followed a one-day hearing which was conducted under a rare referral mandate from the state supreme court.

The court here was ordered to go back to decisions made in advance of Lawrence’s trial and determine whether he was actually competent in 2010 when he decided to represent himself during his trial.

The referral order from the supreme court asked the court here to review the 2010 decisions and report its finding to the state’s Division III Appeals Court in Spokane where a petition on Lawrence’s behalf is pending.

Lawrence, whose court appearances in 2009 and 2010 often produced stormy exchanges in the courtroom, was charged after he discharged a shotgun into an apartment in Pullman March 17, 2009. One of three occupants in the apartment was wounded by the shotgun blast.

According to trial testimony, Lawrence went to the apartment and discharged the gun into it after a disagreement on who was to bring what ingredients for a planned dinner there.

Testimony March 17 reviewed competency findings by doctors at Eastern State Hospital and decisions by the court to allow Lawrence to represent himself in court. He was convicted by a jury after two hours of deliberation and sentenced by Judge William Acey of Asotin County after Lawrence requested a change of judges.

Judge Dixon ruled Lawrence was not competent when he decided to waive his right to an attorney. His attorneys argued Lawrence suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, which was never fully weighed by the state when Lawrence was determined to be competent to undergo trial. Judge Dixon determined Lawrence had the ability to make decisions as the case advanced to trial here six years ago, but ruled Lawrence lacked the ability to understand what the consequences of his decisions could be.

The judge sided with the assessment made by Dr. Greg Wilson of Pullman who testified at length the morning of March 17. Wilson at one point was added to the evaluation team for Lawrence six years ago.

The judge reserved any ruling on whether Lawrence was competent now.

After a formal order on Judge Dixon’s finding is recorded by the court, it will be forwarded to the Division III Court in Spokane where an appeal by Lawrence is pending.