Lawana Morton, a 46-year-old woman from Iron Station, North Carolina, tragically died on January 15, 2007. She was employed by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, where she worked both as a courthouse bailiff and at the county detention center. Additionally, she worked as a security guard at Duke Energy’s McGuire Nuclear Station on Lake Norman. Lawana was divorced and had been staying with a friend after her house burned down.
On the day of her death, Lawana's roommate discovered her body in her bedroom. She had been killed by a single gunshot to the head, but no weapon was found at the scene. The investigation led to the arrest of Monty Wood Poteat, a man with a long criminal history in Rowan County. Poteat was charged with first-degree murder in Lawana's death. Investigators did not disclose a motive for the murder, but noted that Poteat had violated a domestic violence protection order and his address was listed as the same location where Lawana was living.
The case went to trial, and after deliberating for less than an hour, the jury found Monty Poteat guilty of murdering Lawana Morton. The conviction brought some measure of justice for Lawana and closure for her loved ones and colleagues.
Lawana Morton's death was a tragic loss for her community, and her dedication to her work as a sheriff's deputy and security guard was remembered by many who knew her.
