Suspect claims victim's explosive temper leads to fatal stabbing

By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News

One man lost his life in a sudden fight with his roommate last night in rural southeastern Vigo County. The suspect was arrested without incident and charged with level 2 felony voluntary manslaughter.

Bradley A. Lawson ,44, died of stab wounds suffered during an altercation with Ashley A.  Richey, 35, at their Blackhawk residence located at 12616 SR 159 just before 8 p.m. ​ Stab wounds Lawson suffered in the altercation included one in the left forearm. one in the chest and two in the back.

After investigators interviewed the suspect and several witnesses throughout the night, Richey was booked into the Vigo County Jail around 6 a.m.

According to the probable cause affidavit, filed by Det. 1st Sgt. Clayton White, of the Vigo County Sheriff's Office, Richey confessed to stabbing the victim with a dirty kitchen knife to the other occupants of the residence, as well as to investigators.

Emergency crews responded to the call after a friend of Lawson's was administering CPR and called 911 saying, "He was bleeding everywhere," according to court documents. The friend said he had stopped by because he saw Lawson outside working on his car. He reported that Lawson had appeared to be in a good mood until he went inside -- when the friend recalled he could then hear yelling. When Lawson came back outside, the friend said he could tell he was bleeding and called for help.

During later interviews with detectives, Richey alleged that when Lawson came into the kitchen from working on his car, he went into a rage when Richey dropped a plate on the floor. He alleged that Lawson immediately "came at him and hit him in the head."  Richey told detectives that he didn't understand the sudden violent outburst due to the fact the two had always gotten along. Other occupants of the residence agreed the two had no prior disputes, that they were aware of at the time.

According to the court documents, Richey said Lawson again came at him --- and that is when Richey "picked up a kitchen knife from a dirty plate." Lawson allegedly continued punching him through the knife, getting the deep cut on his arm in the process. They "cooled down" a short time when Lawson suddenly went out the front door and then bolted back at Richey, pinning him to the ground. When Richey finally got free, he stabbed Lawson in the back, according to the documents.

Richey attempted to call 911, but his cell phone died. He walked to another occupant's door and asked for a cigarette while covered in blood. He reportedly told the woman that he was probably going to jail.

There were many speculations as to why Lawson was so angry, aside from the broken plate incident.

Richey later told detectives that Lawson returned home from work with the explosive temper. Richey guessed Lawson was angry about another resident parking in "his spot."

Their landlord reportedly arrived on scene a short time after the incident, due to a text message from Richey during the fight with Lawson, claiming he was moving out. When the landlord called him while driving to the house, he stated that Richey commented that Lawson was mad about a dog, but then the call faded out.