A Prince George's County judge revoked the bond of a Metropolitan Police Department officer charged with trying to kill his wife for violating a stay-away order by sending her text messages and initiating visits.
During his trial testimony this week, Samson Lawrence said he had been in contact with his wife. A Prince George's County Circuit judge ordered a review of Lawrence's wife's text messages, and found that Lawrence had indeed violated the stay-away order.
"Mr. Lawrence was told to stay away, that was a condition of his bond," John Erzen with Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office said.
Lawrence's bond was revoked Friday.
"The state got what they wanted. They wanted him locked up and that's what they got," Lawrence's long-time friend Delmus Lither said. "You got a mother and father that can't get along. It's a sad situation."
A mistrial was declared Thursday after a jury failed to reach a verdict. A new trial is set to start Nov. 17.
Lawrence's defense attorney Leonard Casalino said poor evidence and lack of DNA is what caused the hung jury.
"I think it's a waste of resources, I also think it's a case that's not going to get any better," Casalino said.
In court Friday, the judge said he didn't find Lawrence's side of the story credible -- Lawrence had said his wife had fallen onto the light fixture and that's what caused her injuries.
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"Judges have their opinion. That's why we're doing a jury trial and not a court trial," Casalino said.
Lawrence is accused of attacking his wife with a metal light fixture in November 2013, and is facing an attempted murder, assault and other charges.
