Rapist Plays Jailhouse Lawyer; Files Civil Lawsuit and Post-Conviction Relief Motion

Rapist Zachary William Lawson, 22, appears to be handling his sexual battery conviction poorly from inside the walls of Putnam Correctional Institute. 

On August 4, Lawson, who does not have legal counsel, is not a lawyer, and is in prison, filed a civil lawsuit against his former private attorney, Daniel Perez, alleging professional malpractice and false imprisonment. The same day, Lawson filed a motion for post-conviction relief in his criminal case, which quickly failed.

Lawson’s Lawsuit:

Lawson’s lawsuit starts by claiming that Perez gave him “false information” by telling him “consent is not an affirmative defense to the crime of sexual battery.” 

It’s unclear why Lawson believed consent could be a defense in the first place. Surveillance footage referenced on the arrest report shows he was walking the victim in her house when she was visibly intoxicated and he was not.

Gainesville Police Department Detective Ranisha Johnson reported, “The victim is observed walking with [Lawson], swaying and moving about unsteady on her feet. The victim and [Lawson] were observed outside the entrance of her apartment building. The victim was being held up right by [Lawson]. The victim is observed pushing [Lawson] away from her. The victim is observed walking backwards and swaying. At one point, the victim falls onto the ground and has to be helped onto her feet by [Lawson]. The victim was observed walking into her building with [Lawson]. [Lawson] is guiding the victim into her apartment building. [Lawson] did not display any behaviors or movements of impairment. [Lawson] movements and stances appeared normal.”

Lawson alleges that Perez “falsely imprisoned" him by demanding a $10,000 trial fee. Lawson alleges that he believed the up-front fee included trial services.

Lawson claims that Perez’s actions pressured him into taking a plea deal, alleging that Perez told him he had three options: to pay the trial fee, to lose at trial with a public defender or to take the plea deal. 

Lawson claims that his decision to take a plea deal constitutes a decision made “against [his] will” because he was unable to pay the trial fee. 

Despite raping someone, causing immense physical and psychological harm, Lawson himself complains of his own physical and mental harm. Lawson states he’s been physically assaulted in prison and claims he “suffered psychological injuries” as a result of Perez’s actions. Lawson complains about his sex offender designation and attempts to blame Perez for "permanent irreparable damage" to his "reputation and social status."

Lawson is claiming that Perez owes him millions of dollars in damages.

Court records show that Perez hasn’t yet responded to the claims of his former client in court. The case remains open with Judge George Wright presiding.

Post-Conviction Relief Attempt:

Lawson’s motion for post-conviction relief contains roughly the same allegations as the civil lawsuit. The difference is instead of seeking monetary damages, Lawson sought to vacate his sentence and proceed to a trial by jury. Lawson also requested an attorney, stating “the complexity of this case supersedes” his legal knowledge.

On August 25, Judge James Colaw denied Lawson’s motion.

“[Lawson] stated under oath that he was satisfied with counsel's representation in this case and that he was entering the plea because he believed that doing so was in his best interest,” declared Colaw. “[Lawson] cannot now assert that at the time of the plea's entry he had serious doubts about his attorney's effectiveness… [Lawson] fails to show either error by counsel or prejudice. Accordingly, the claim raised is without merit.”

Colaw went on to declare, “[Lawson] alleges that trial counsel was ineffective for misadvising [him] that consent was not a defense to the sexual battery in this case. Notably, [Lawson] concedes on page 4 of his motion that his ‘counsel acknowledged that ‘consent’ is in fact a defense.’ Thus, counsel did not misadvise [Lawson] that consent was not a defense, only that it was not a viable defense in this case… Regardless… [Lawson] fails to show prejudice because there is not a reasonable probability that he would have rejected the State's favorable plea offer, which was a downward departure sentence, and proceeded to trial, where he would have faced a potential sentence of 15 years' imprisonment if convicted… Furthermore, there was a witness to the fact that the victim was impaired at the time of the sexual battery, thus undermining any defense of consent by the victim… [Lawson] fails to show either error by counsel or prejudice. Accordingly, the claim raised is without merit.”

On September 25, Lawson initiated an appeal on Colaw’s order; however, there has been no new information on his case file since then.

Lawson was arrested in May 2023, one month after the attack. 

The arrest report states Lawson met the victim at a bar, and he offered her a drink. The victim consented to a small sip. Pouring the beverage in her mouth, Lawson tilted the cup to make her consume the entire drink without her consent, causing her to black out.

When speaking with a detective, the victim explained that her memory loss leads her to believe that Lawson drugged her.

The arrest report states that Lawson claimed the victim “consented;" however, he also admitted to having “sex” with her two hours after she was observed by Det. Johnson on surveillance cameras in a heavily impaired state. 

Lawson also admitted to sexually assaulting the victim before the rape, stating they “took a shower together.” 

The arrest report contains a witness statement from an individual who said he observed Lawson and the victim walk into the apartment while she was impaired.

The witness told Johnson he observed Lawson in the bathroom with the victim, and she was vomiting. The witness stated that he asked the victim if she was okay, and Lawson responded that she “isn’t able to maintain a conversation right now.” This further shows that Lawson is guilty, as he admitted the victim was unable to "maintain a conversation" but later claimed she was able to “consent” to “sex.”

The change-of-plea hearing transcript shows the victim gave an impact statement in front of the courtroom. She described all the ways the attack impacted her: seizures, doctors, diagnoses, job loss; all because of the crime Lawson committed against her.  

[The following quote is edited slightly to withhold potentially identifying information]

She went on to say, “Now let me tell you some things I didn't lose and some things that I gained. Firstly, is my degree. I would like it known that against all odds through the attack, through the trauma, through dropping classes and having to make them up… attaining accommodations and extensions… legal meetings, I will be graduating from University soon with my Bachelors degree in honors, which is more than he can say because he was expelled for the crimes he committed against me. Through this horrid experience, I have gained strength I didn't know I had. I have gained a perspective I never wanted, an empathy to those around me with similar experiences. I have gained power from standing my ground and fighting for my life for longer than anyone should have to. I was not given a chance to fight back against my attacker… I have fought every single day since. For the last one year, eight months, and 29 days, I have done everything humanly possible to ensure that this danger to my life, to my community, and to other women does not walk free. I fought every day for the last one year, eight months, and 29 days to demand that he is held responsible for his actions and his choices. This individual chose the wrong woman to attack. I am stronger than he can ever imagine. I do not back down.”