People v. Lawson

Darnell Lawson was charged in the circuit court of St. Clair County with the murder of Winston Lewis. Following a trial by jury, Lawson was found guilty and sentenced to a term of 40 years’ imprisonment.

On the night of the murder, Lawson, Richard Davis, John Sherrill, Clifford Rowling, Rufus Thomas, and Kenneth Carlisle were standing outside Jay’s liquor store in East St. Louis when they saw Lewis walking across the street. Believing Lewis to be a member of the Disciples, a rival street gang, they began beating him. Lewis fled into the liquor store, and the group followed him. According to…