15-Year-Old Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Killing Activist During Robbery Attempt

A teenager has received a lengthy prison sentence for the murder of political activist Theodore "Ted" Lawson during an attempted robbery.

The 15-year-old boy, identified as Lamar Patrick Kemp, was sentenced to 35 to 70 years in prison for his crime. Judge Joyce Draganchuk referred to Kemp as "a sociopath" who exhibited no remorse or regret for his actions. Kemp's plea deal fixed his minimum sentence at 35 years, with a maximum of no less than 60 years. He will also receive 347 days credit for time served.

Judge sends teen to prison for killing of activist

The incident occurred on October 8, 2023, when Lawson, aged 63, was campaigning for a Lansing City Council candidate in the North Jenison Avenue area, near West Maple Street. During this time, Kemp shot Lawson with a .22-caliber handgun. The police and prosecutors stated that the killing did not appear to be connected to Lawson's political activities or beliefs. Instead, Kemp's intention was to extract money from Lawson through an attempted robbery.

Theodore Lawson was a prominent figure in the political arena, serving on the Ingham County Board of Canvassers and holding the position of secretary for the Ingham County Democratic Party. He was well-known for his involvement in numerous election campaigns for the Democratic Party.

In early August, Kemp admitted to the shooting and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The prosecution's decision to charge him as an adult was based on the nature of the offense and Kemp's prior record in the juvenile system.

According to a court affidavit, Kemp was with two other teenagers during the incident. One of them testified seeing Kemp shoot Lawson after asking him for a dollar. Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, displaying Lawson walking while being approached by Kemp and his companions. The video also captured the sound of the gunshot and showed the suspects fleeing the scene.

Kemp's Troubled History

Kemp's troublesome history was further exacerbated by a separate case in which he was charged with attempting to intimidate witnesses while in the Ingham County Jail. This case was resolved as part of the plea deal. Additionally, Kemp had four prior contacts with the juvenile court system, with three involving assaultive conduct. At the time of Lawson's murder, Kemp was on absconder status from Eaton County.

Plea Deal and Legal Consequences

The plea deal not only addressed the murder charge but also resolved the separate intimidation case. Kemp's communication privileges at the jail were significantly restricted as a result of his attempts to intimidate witnesses.

Potential Trial and Legal Limitations

If Kemp had chosen to go to trial, he could have faced a first-degree murder charge, which carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that automatic life sentences for juvenile offenders are unconstitutional due to the underdeveloped state of their brains.