Joanie Vasiliadis
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WUSA9) -- A D.C. police officer has been indicted for
attempted murder after officials say he tried to kill his wife.
Officer Samson Lawrence, 45, has been indicted for attempted first and
second degree murder, and related charges for attacking his wife with a metal
lamp post, officials said in a news release.
He was assigned to the 5th District as a School Resource Officer.
On November 24, 2013, Lawrence was trying to hang a projection TV in his
house when he became angry with his wife because she told him she didn't know
where the screws to hang the projector were, according to officials.
Police say Lawrence grabbed a can of Lysol and sprayed it in his wife's
face every time she spoke. When Lawrence's wife refused to make him something
to eat, he allegedly pushed her.
Lawrence's wife tried to call 911, but Lawrence grabbed the phone from her.
She then tried to leave the house, but officials say Lawrence followed her and
pushed her to the floor in their living room.
Police say Lawrence picked up a metal light post and hit her in the head
while she lay on the floor.
When his wife tried to escape, police say Lawrence cornered her and held
two knives by her face and throat and threatened to cut her. His wife was
finally able to escape and called 911 from a neighbor's house.
Lawrence was not home by the time the police arrived, but he was arrested
the next day.
In addition to attempted first and second degree murder, Lawrence has also
been charged with first and second degree assault and wearing and carrying a
dangerous weapon with the intent to injure.
Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham told the Associated Press that
Lawrence joined the department in 1990.
