ALLEGAN COUNTY — A local man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife's son in 2022.
James Edward Rawson was found guilty of first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. His trial began June 18 in Allegan County’s 48th Circuit Court. It concluded Wednesday.
Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney Myrene Koch and Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Peterson led the prosecution efforts.
“Representing victims of crime and protecting the public from violent offenders is the top priority of the Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office,” Koch wrote in a release. “Ensuring those responsible for these crimes are held accountable for their actions is a critical part of our mission.
"The investigation conducted by the ACSO and the MSP Crime Lab was very thorough and provided the foundation to achieve the convictions. Hopefully, with this resolution, the victims can begin the healing process and continue to move forward.”
Deputies from the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting around 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, when Char Rawson called 911 to say she'd been shot in the head by her ex-husband. She was able to get away from the shooter in her vehicle before calling 911.
ACSO said the woman was alert when deputies arrived. When they reached the residence in Lee Township where the shooting occurred, they found a 21-year-old man, Williams, dead from apparent gunshot wounds in the driveway.
Char said she was attempting to pick up her other children from Rawson's home.
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First-degree murder is the most serious murder conviction in Michigan. It carries a mandatory life sentence without possibility for parole. Rawson is scheduled for sentencing Friday, Aug. 2.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
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