On a tragic day in Williston, North Dakota, a 24-year-old Black man named Diandre Laron Lott lost his life. On May 17, 2016, Lott, along with another man, 23-year-old Donzell Washington, was fatally shot in what would become a complex and debated case. The incident that unfolded cut short the lives of two young men and left a community searching for answers.
The violent encounter took place in an apartment in the North Dakota city.
Following the shooting, an investigation was launched, which soon led to the identification and arrest of a suspect. Lamar Putney was taken into custody and subsequently charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Diandre Lott and Donzell Washington. The arrest marked the beginning of a legal battle that would scrutinize the final moments of the victims' lives and the actions of the man accused of ending them.
The case against Lamar Putney proceeded to trial, where the narrative of what transpired on that fatal day was intensely contested. Putney's defense team argued that his actions were not born of malice, but of self-preservation. They asserted that Lott and Washington had intentions of robbing him under the guise of purchasing a car he had for sale. According to Putney's testimony, the situation escalated when the two men allegedly handled his firearms and then attempted to rob him, forcing him to act in self-defense. This claim became the cornerstone of his defense.
Ultimately, the jury weighed the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense. After deliberation, they rendered a verdict of not guilty on all charges. The jury reportedly concluded that the prosecution had not disproven Putney's claim of self-defense and that there was no other discernible motive for the shootings. Lamar Putney was acquitted of the murders of Diandre Laron Lott and Donzell Washington, closing a chapter on a case that left a lasting impact on the lives of all involved.
