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Murder charges dropped against Lawson in slaying of teen’s grandparents

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

In a surprise move Friday, Fayette County sheriff’s officials dropped a murder charge pending against a Union City man who allegedly supplied drugs to two teens before they murdered one of the girl’s grandparents.

Calvin Roland Lawson, 41, of 202 Shannon Lake Drive, was charged with one count of felony murder after authorities learned of his alleged involvement in the Aug. 2 murders of Carl and Sarah Collier.

Lawson remained in the Fayette County Jail Friday awaiting his first appearance hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. The hearing was postponed indefinitely, and at about 4 p.m. Friday sheriff’s officials dropped the felony murder charge.

Officials instead charged Lawson with two counts of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of minors and one count of furnishing harmful materials to minors.

The charges were filed in response to sworn testimony given by Holly Harvey in open court Thursday. Harvey, 16, told a judge she and her 16-year-old lesbian lover Sandy Ketchum were high on crack cocaine and marijuana furnished by “Calvin.”

Harvey told the court that “Calvin” was a friend of her mother, Carla Harvey. But Carla Harvey denied that claim stating she met “Calvin” at work.

Holly Harvey refused to make a statement before Thursday and authorities said they were unaware “Calvin” was involved in the incident.

Hours later, Lawson was taken into custody Thursday and initially charged with murder. Those charges were reduced to contributing to the delinquency of a minors for allegedly suppling drugs to Harvey and Ketchum between the hours of 10 and 11:59 p.m. Aug. 1.

The incident occurred on Travis Street and Plantation Drive in Riverdale in northern Fayette County, according to Lawson’s arrest warrant.

Lawson also is charged with furnishing harmful materials for allegedly showing the teens a pornographic video during the same time frame and at the same location, according to the arrest warrant.

Lawson was granted the option of posting a $3,600 property bond or a $1,950 cash bond. Lawson opted for the $1,950 cash bond, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Lt. Belinda McCastle said when reached at home Monday evening.

McCastle indicated officials nixed the murder charge after weighing the matter.

“We dropped the murder charge because the weight of the testimony was going to be on Holly Harvey and Sandy Ketchum,” McCastle said. “There really wasn’t enough to make our case stick, but we are going to continue our investigation and revisit that charge when the grand jury is in session in July.”

Officials do have “some evidence,” but they do not feel it’s sufficient at present, McCastle added.