Charges Dropped Against 81-Year-Old Man Accused of Shooting Wife

A man from Wapato charged with the October 2023 shooting death of his 74-year-old wife will no longer face charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter.

THE CHARGES COULD BE BROUGHT BACK IF MORE EVIDENCE/INFORMATION IS FOUND

The charges against 81-year-old Donald Lawrence were dismissed last month. The charges were dropped without prejudice meaning prosecutors could refile charges in the future. On the day of the shooting Lawrence told Deputies he and his wife, Olivia Lawrence were in an argument when she reached for a gun in a drawer saying she was going to kill herself.

POLICE SAY LAWRENCE TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE DIDN'T KNOW THE GUN WAS LOADED

That's when Don Lawrence told investigators he grabbed and unloaded the gun while the two kept arguing. At some point he told the Deputies he pointed the gun at his wife thinking it was unloaded. He pulled the trigger and he says Olivia fell to the floor dead. He says he didn't know the gun was still loaded and didn't mean to shoot his wife.

DON LAWRENCE HAS BEEN OUT OF JAIL SINCE HIS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE

Don Lawrence was arrested and booked into the Yakima County jail but has been on pre-trial release after his initial arrest.
Prosecutors also say they believe Lawrence was suffering from cognitive issues during recent court appearances. It's not known if reported cognative issues played a role in dismissing the charges.