25-Year-Old Man Faces 2 Life Sentences After Rejecting Plea to Testify Against Co-Defendant

By Andrew Michaels - March 22, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Jury selection is underway for a 25-year-old Baltimore man who faces two life sentences for murder after rejecting a 10-year plea on March 22 that would have required him to testify against his co-defendant.

Norman Lawson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure for an incident on April 12, 2020.

During a court proceeding before Judge Charles J. Peters on Tuesday, defense attorney Natalie McKeown Finegar informed the court that her client rejected the state’s plea offer to amend the indictment, adding accessory to first-degree murder after the fact for a 10-year sentence. If Lawson accepted the agreement, he would be required to testify against his co-defendant, Isaiah Eaddy, and provide information that would lead to the identification of a third suspect who remains unknown at this time.

The prosecutor also said the victim’s family was in agreement with the plea offer.

Judge Peterson informed Lawson and reiterated the potential consequences of proceeding to trial, which carry a life sentence for each count of first-degree murder and three years for use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure. The sentences could be served consecutively if the defendant was found guilty.

Lawson, once again, rejected the offer, and jury selection was scheduled to begin late Tuesday morning in courtroom 225 in the Cummings Courthouse.

According to the prosecution, Lawson’s trial is expected to begin on March 23 with closing arguments on March 25.

Eaddy’s trial, originally scheduled for Jan. 26, was among the dozens that were delayed due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. The Maryland Judiciary website states Eaddy is currently scheduled for trial on Oct. 4.