Spencer Lawton

Spencer Lawton
District attorney for Chatham County, Georgia
In office
1981–2008
Personal details
Born(1943-07-19)July 19, 1943
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedNovember 13, 2024(2024-11-13) (aged 81)
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Spouse
Ann Woolner
​
(m. 2008)​
Children1
EducationUniversity of Georgia School of Law
Tulane University
OccupationAttorney, journalist

Spencer Lawton Jr. (July 19, 1943 – November 13, 2024) was an American attorney. He was district attorney for Chatham County, Georgia, between 1981 and 2008,[1] and for the Eastern Judicial Circuit.[2] He was known for serving as the prosecutor of preservationist James Arthur Williams in his trial for the alleged murder of Danny Hansford.

Early life

Lawton was born on July 19, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to Spencer Lawton Sr.[3][4] (1918–1999) and Sarah "Sally" Parker (1919–2017).[5][6] He was their eldest son. After being raised in Savannah, Georgia, Lawton moved with his family to Atlanta. He graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Virginia.[7]

He began at the University of Georgia School of Law (UGA) in 1961. He served in the U.S. Air Force between 1962 and 1966, studying at Tulane University and graduating with a science degree. He returned to UGA and graduated in 1971,[7] after which he began working for Lawton, Simple and Chamblee, a firm begun by his great-grandfather.[8]

In 1976, with his college friend Michael Karpf, he established a firm and practiced general law.[8] In 1981, he became the district attorney for Chatham County, Georgia.[3]

Lawton came to prominence as the prosecutor of preservationist James Arthur Williams in his trial for the alleged murder of Danny Hansford, a story documented in John Berendt's 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.[9] Lawton was renamed Finley Largent in the 1997 movie adaptation, a role played by Bob Gunton. Lawton was assisted by Dep Kirkland in the first of the four trials.[10]

In 2008, Lawton was named District Attorney of the Year by the District Attorney's Association of Georgia.[2]

Upon his retirement, Lawton was succeeded by Larry Chisholm.[11] He later became a journalist for his hometown newspaper, Savannah Morning News.[12][13]

Personal life and death

Lawton married Ann Woolner in 2008.[6][3] They had a daughter.[3] Through his grandmother, he was a descendent of Spencer Proudfoot Shotter (1855–1920),[14] a Canadian business magnate. He was also a relative of Alexander Lawton, a Confederate Army general and lawyer.[15]

Lawton died on November 13, 2024 at his home in Savannah, Georgia from heart disease at the age of 81.[16][3]

References

  1. ^ "District attorney accused of retaliatory defamation is protected from suit, 11th Circuit says" – ABA Journal
  2. ^ a b "Lawton named DA of the year". The Daily Citizen. 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Spencer Lawton Jr., D.A. in 'Midnight in the Garden' Case, Dies at 81". The New York Times. November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Cooper, Polly Wylly (2002). Isle of Hope: Wormsloe and Bethesda. Arcadia Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-7385-1414-7.
  5. ^ "Spencer Lawton '40". Princeton Alumni Weekly. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  6. ^ a b "Sarah Lawton Obituary (1919 - 2017) - Atlanta, GA - Savannah Morning News". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  7. ^ a b "Spencer Lawton, Jr. Obituary 2024". Gamble Funeral Service. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  8. ^ a b Bradley, Helen P. "Former Chatham County DA Spencer Lawton, who prosecuted "Midnight" murder case, dies at 81". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  9. ^ Boehm, Mike; Times (2002-06-08). "A Former Lawyer Tries Something New". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  10. ^ Kirkland, Dep (2022-02-24). ""Midnight" Marches On". Savannah Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  11. ^ "Chatham County's new DA takes office". WTOC. 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  12. ^ Thomas, Regina. "Former lawmaker: Retired DA's remarks about Cook Jones 'insensitive and callous'". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  13. ^ Lawton, Spencer. "Georgia loses pioneer in criminal justice reform". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  14. ^ Berendt, John (1994). Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Knopf Doubleday. p. 206. ISBN 9780307538376.
  15. ^ Lawton, Laura C. (2015-07-13). Legendary Locals of Savannah. Arcadia Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-4396-5229-9.
  16. ^ "Spencer Lawton Jr". Legacy. Retrieved 17 November 2024.

Read other articles:

Кордовілья (Саламанка)

КордовільяCordovilla ГербПрапорМуніципалітетКраїна  ІспаніяАвтономна спільнота Кастилія-і-ЛеонПровінція СаламанкаКоординати 40°57′04″ пн. ш. 5°24′22″ зх. д. / 40.951° пн. ш. 5.406° зх. д. / 40.951; -5.406Координати: 40°57′04″ пн. ш. 5°24′22″ зх. д.þ...

 

La dama de honor (Millais)

La dama de honor Autor John Everett MillaisCreación 1851Ubicación Museo Fitzwilliam (Reino Unido)Material Óleo y TablaDimensiones 27,9 centímetros x 20,3 centímetros[editar datos en Wikidata] La dama de honor (en el original en inglés: The Bridesmaid) es una pequeña pintura de 28 x 20 cm del pintor inglés prerrafaelita John Everett Millais de 1851, en óleo sobre tabla. Muestra a una joven con algunos símbolos de boda. La obra se encuentra en el Museo Fitzwilliam de Cambrid...

 

ألانيا فالسيزيا

ألانيا فالسيزيا Walser houses in the frazione Pedemonte  علم شعار الاسم الرسمي بلدية ألانيا فالسيزيا   الإحداثيات 45°51′14″N 7°56′14″E / 45.853888888889°N 7.9372222222222°E / 45.853888888889; 7.9372222222222  [1] تقسيم إداري  البلد إيطاليا[2]  التقسيم الأعلى مقاطعة فِرشِلَّة  خصائص جغراف...

カルロス・サストレ

この名前は、スペイン語圏の人名慣習に従っています。第一姓（父方の姓）はサストレ、第二姓（母方の姓）はカンディルです。 カルロス・サストレCarlos Sastre 個人情報本名 カルロス・サストレ・カンディルCarlos Sastre Candil生年月日 (1975-04-22) 1975年4月22日（48歳）国籍 スペイン身長 173cm体重 61kgチーム情報分野 ロードレース役割 選手特徴 クライマープロ所属チーム1997-2...

 

Tretayuga

Artikel ini adalah bagian dari seriFilsafat Hindu Ajaran Filsafat Samkhya • Yoga • Mimamsa Nyaya • Waisesika • Wedanta Aliran Wedanta Adwaita • Wisistadwaita Dwaita • Suddhadwaita Dwaitadwaita • Acintya-bheda-abheda Filsuf Abad kuno Kapila • Patanjali • Jaimini Gotama • Kanada • Byasa Abad pertengahan Adi Shankara • Ramanuja Madhwacarya • Madhusudana Wedanta Desika • Jayatirtha Abad modern Ramakr...

 

Fred Strahorn

American politician Fred StrahornMinority Leader of the Ohio House of RepresentativesIn officeJanuary 5, 2015 – February 6, 2019Preceded byTracy Maxwell HeardSucceeded byEmilia SykesMember of the Ohio Senatefrom the 5th districtIn officeMarch 31, 2009 – December 31, 2010Preceded byTom RobertsSucceeded byBill BeagleMember of the Ohio House of Representativesfrom the 39th districtIn officeJanuary 7, 2013 – December 31, 2020Preceded byClayton LuckieSu...

Політехнічний інститут (станція метро)

Координати: 50°27′03″ пн. ш. 30°27′58″ сх. д. / 50.45083° пн. ш. 30.46611° сх. д. / 50.45083; 30.46611 Політехнічний інститут Київський метрополітенСвятошинсько-Броварська лінія Загальні даніТип пілонна трисклепіннаПлатформиКількість 1Тип острівнаФорма прям...

 

Cryptographic accelerator

Co-processor optimized for cryptographic operations Sun Microsystems PCI cryptographiphic accelerator (2002) In computing, a cryptographic accelerator is a co-processor designed specifically to perform computationally intensive cryptographic operations, doing so far more efficiently than the general-purpose CPU. Because many servers' system loads consist mostly of cryptographic operations, this can greatly increase performance. Intel's AES-NI is by far the most common cryptographic accelerato...

 

Roosevelt Public School District

School district in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States Roosevelt Public School DistrictAddress2A School Lane Roosevelt, Monmouth County, New Jersey, 08555United StatesCoordinates40°13′17″N 74°28′28″W / 40.22131°N 74.474484°W / 40.22131; -74.474484District informationGradesPreK-5SuperintendentKaren Barry (acting)Business administratorBernard BiesiadaSchools1Students and staffEnrollment84 (as of 2021–22)[1]Faculty8.0 FTEs[1]Student–...

Kimberly Osorio

American journalist, writer, author and TV producer Kim OsorioBorn (1974-06-14) June 14, 1974 (age 49)The Bronx, New York, United StatesOther namesKim OsorioOccupationEditor/Writer/TV PersonalityKnown forThe Source magazine lawsuitTitleAuthor/Editor In Chief of The Source (magazine)Children3Websitekimosorio.com Kim Osorio (born June 14, 1974 in The Bronx, New York City) is an American journalist, writer, author, TV producer and personality. She was also a cast member on the Ame...

 

Dmitry Kiselyov (film director)

Russian film director (born 1978) For other uses, see Dmitry Kiselyov (disambiguation). Dmitry KiselyovKiselyov in 2017BornDmitry Igorevich Kiselyov (1978-06-05) June 5, 1978 (age 45)Moskva, Soviet Union (now Moscow, Russia)NationalityRussianOccupationfilm director Dmitry Igorevich Kiselyov (Russian: Дмитрий Игоревич Киселёв, born June 5, 1978[1][2]) is a Russian film director. Filmography Film Black Lightning (2009) Yolki (2010) Yolki 2 (2011) Gentl...

 

MS-CHAP

MS-CHAP (англ. Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) — протокол проверки подлинности соединений между сервером и клиентом без передачи пароля последнего, использующий механизм «вызов-ответ». MS-CHAP является реализацией протокола CHAP, в которой предусмотрены механизм возврата с...

Eugenia luschnathiana

Eugenia luschnathiana Klasifikasi ilmiah Kerajaan: Plantae Divisi: Tracheophyta Kelas: Magnoliopsida Ordo: Myrtales Famili: Myrtaceae Genus: Eugenia Spesies: Eugenia luschnathiana Nama binomial Eugenia luschnathiana(O.Berg) Klotzsch ex B.D.Jacks. Eugenia luschnathiana adalah spesies tumbuhan yang tergolong ke dalam famili Myrtaceae. Spesies ini juga merupakan bagian dari ordo Myrtales. Spesies Eugenia luschnathiana sendiri merupakan bagian dari genus Eugenia.[1] Nama ilmiah dari spesi...

 

Templo de Liṅgarāja

Templo de Liṅgarāja, Bhubaneśvara. Vista lateral del templo de Liṅgarāja, Bhubaneśvara. El templo de Liṅgarāja (लिंगराज मंदिर) se encuentra en Bhubaneśvara (Orissā). Fue construido entre 1090 y 1104 por el rey Jajati Keshari. El templo está dedicado a Śiva Liṅgarāja («rey de los liṅgam»), debido al ancestral culto al liṅgam (falo), símbolo sexual masculino proveniente de antiguos ritos neolíticos de la fertilidad, que fue asumido por el hindui...

 

The Cameron House

This article is about a cultural venue in Toronto. For the House in Scotland, see Cameron House. The Cameron HouseThe Cameron House in September 2015Address408 Queen Street WestToronto, OntarioM5V 2A7Coordinates43°38′55″N 79°23′51″W / 43.64861°N 79.39750°W / 43.64861; -79.39750OwnerFerraro familyTypeBar, Music venueGenre(s)AlternativeConstructionBuilt1880OpenedOctober 1981Websitewww.thecameron.com The Cameron House is a small bar, live music venue, and info...

The Resurrectionists

2000 horror novel by Kim Wilkins The Resurrectionists First editionAuthorKim WilkinsCountryAustraliaLanguageEnglishGenreHorrorPublisherHarperCollinsPublication date2000Media typePrint (Paperback)Pages527 ppISBN0-7322-6797-8 The Resurrectionists is a 2000 horror novel by Kim Wilkins. It is the story of Maisie Fielding who, bored with her job and family, returns to England to research her grandmother, who is a white witch.[1] Background The Resurrectionists was first published in A...

 

Memory Man (novel)

Memory Man Hardcover editionAuthorDavid BaldacciCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishSeriesAmos DeckerGenreCrime novelPublisherGrand Central PublishingPublication dateSeptember 15, 2015Media typePrint, e-book, audiobookPages432 pp (hardback)ISBN978-1455559817 Memory Man is a crime novel about a man whose wife, daughter and brother in law were murdered, written by David Baldacci.[1][2] This is the first novel to feature the character Amos Decker.[3] The novel was rel...

 

Los Patios

Los Patios Municipio Barrio Bellavista BanderaEscudo Los PatiosLocalización de Los Patios en Colombia Los PatiosLocalización de Los Patios en Norte de SantanderCoordenadas 7°50′03″N 72°30′18″O / 7.8341666666667, -72.505Entidad Municipio • País  Colombia • Departamento Norte de Santander • Subregión MetropolitanaAlcalde José Miguel Bonilla Castiblanco (2020-2023)Eventos históricos   • Fundación 1815[1]​ • Erecc...

إيمريات

اضغط هنا للاطلاع على كيفية قراءة التصنيف الإيمريات   المرتبة التصنيفية فصيلة  التصنيف العلمي النطاق: حقيقيات النوى المملكة: أسناخ صبغية القسم: الطلائعيات السناخية الشعبة: معقدات القمة الطائفة: المخروطانيات الطويئفة: الأكريات الرتبة: الأكريات الحقيقية الفصيلة: الإيم...

 

Order of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr

Russian state decoration This article is about the Russian Federation state decoration. For the Imperial Russian chivalric order, see Order of Saint Catherine. AwardOrder of Saint CatherineStar of the Order of Saint CatherineTypeSingle-grade orderAwarded forHigh moral values and compassion for their outstanding contribution to peacekeeping, charity, humanitarian activities and the preservation of cultural heritage.[1]Presented by Russian FederationEligibilityRussian and foreign n...

 

Strategi Solo vs Squad di Free Fire: Cara Menang Mudah!