A tragic death occurred last week after a Lawson resident was shot multiple times. Lawrence P. Neary IV, 50, of Lawson, has been charged with first-degree murder of the victim. Neary appeared earlier this week for an arraignment hearing before Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Lori J. Baskins. Neary entered a plea of not guilty, represented by his public defender, Rebecca Ablen. He is ordered to appear next for a bond hearing at 8:30 a.m. on May 14 and for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on June 4. On April 27, Lawson Police Department requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) investigate a murder at a residence in Lawson. According to reports, the victim was found deceased in a closet. Soon after, Neary was located at an associate’s residence, where he was taken into custody. He was then transported to the Richmond Police Department for questioning about the death of the victim. The probable cause statement, written by MSHP J. Scrivens, states Lawrence and the victim…