Lawrence appeals conviction

A notice of appeal for Lewis Lawrence, 22, former Moscow resident, was filed Friday in Whitman County Superior court. Lawrence has been sentenced to a maximum 75 years in prison after being convicted of three counts of attempted murder.

An order of indigency was also issued by the court to provide Lawrence with legal services in pursuing the appeal to Division III court in Spokane.

Lawrence was sentenced by Judge William Acey of Asotin County April 21. He is now undergoing assessment at the Department of Corrections facility at Shelton. He was convicted April 16.

In his notice appeal, which was submitted on form application, Lawrence cited what he believes were errors in allowing evidence, competency evaluations, speedy trail, jury selection and other points.

Lawrence represented himself during the four-day trail.

Barbara Mosoman, wife of former Idaho district judge at Roy Mosman, wrote a letter to Judge Acey appealing for assurance that Lewis would receive some sort of treatment.

Mrs. Mosman said the intent of her letter was not to criticize the judge but to make an appeal to assure Lawrence receives treatment.

“Will he simply be thrown away?” she asked. Judge Acey’s court administrator in a May 7 pointed out at that time the period for post-trial motions had not yet expired so it would be improper for the judge to respond to the letter.

Mosman said she was a primary teacher at church when Lawrence joined the Marley family.

The letter said Lawrence had been in six foster homes within a year of coming to live with the Marley family. Also, as an infant, Lawrence was brought to St. Joseph Hospital in Lewiston for repeated treatment for abuse.

Lawrence later was raised as one of the foster children in the Marley home at Moscow. After he went out on his own, he took medications infrequently and lacked supervision.

“Did this young man, in his short life, ever have a chance?” the Mosman letter asked.