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RICHFIELD — The son of a 77-year-old Monroe man whose body was found near a mountain road Sunday has been charged with his father’s death.
William Lawton, age 30, was charged Tuesday afternoon with aggravated murder in the death of his father James Lawton, according to Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis.
William Lawton had reported to authorities that he and his father had been assaulted, and sheriff’s deputies later found James Lawton's body on the side of Watts Mountain Road. The father was last seen alive around 11 p.m. Saturday when the two left their Monroe home together. William Lawton returned home around 2 a.m. Sunday, according to the sheriff’s office.
At the time, investigators had named William Lawton as a person of interest. Evidence at the scene that suggested a struggle had taken place, officials had said.
Tuesday Curtis said, “Evidence gathered at the scene and from the State Medical Examiners Office led to the charge.”
The charges were filed in 6th District Court in Sevier County. William Lawton’s initial appearance in court is scheduled for Tuesday, and he is being held on a $1 million cash-only bail. Officials believe the suspect would leave the state if bail were granted.
Email:lbrubaker@desnews.com
