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Thomas-Jeffrey-Lawson, 33. of Iaeger, West Virginia was arraigned late Sunday in Kanawha County Magistrate Court on a murder charge. He is accused of killing his father.
Lawson had initially been taken into custody while naked inside the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Nitro over the weekend. He was tackled to the floor after being spotted exiting a bathroom Sunday at 1 am wearing only a hat and shoes. Lawson was permitted to redress in the bathroom prior to be taken into custody.
According to a criminal complaint, Lawson Jr. shot and killed his father, Thomas Lawson Sr., on Saturday.
McDowell County Sheriff James Muncy confirmed that a welfare check discovered Lawson Sr. deceased in the Trail Hollow area near Iaeger. He was not immediately identified at the time.
Investigators said Lawson Sr. left his home on Trail Hollow Road around 2 p.m. Saturday to help his son cut a tree that was blocking the roadway but never returned.
The victim’s wife contacted another family member after becoming concerned, and that family member called 911 around 10:30 p.m. Deputies later found Lawson Sr.’s body near his son’s home.
Pictured: Thomas-Jeffrey-Lawson
The victim was shot at least six times in the back and head.
A chainsaw belonging to the victim was found lying near his feet. Deputies said Lawson Sr. had a revolver in his pocket, but the weapon had not been fired and still contained all six rounds.
The victim’s wife told deputies her husband had gone to help his son cut trees and said he was afraid of him.
“Mrs. Lawson advised deputies that Mr. Lawson Sr. was afraid of his son and was ‘just trying to be a good dad,’” the complaint states. She also told investigators the two had been involved in prior incidents that became physical.
She further told deputies that shortly after her husband left the home, she heard what she believed was Lawson Jr.’s truck traveling down the road toward Route 52.
"Jeff was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back," a family member posted in regard to the victim. "If you needed help, he showed up. He helped me more times than I can count, and I know many of you can say the same."
Reports suggest the suspect had a severe gambling addiction and would frequent the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort regularly.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
