Activist Lawrence's trial continued without date

The trial of Eunice community activist Joseph Lawrence on theft charges has been continued without date in 27th Judicial District Court.
Lawrence’s trial, scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13, was taken off the docket after Anna Simmons enrolled as his new attorney.
A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 21 on motions she filed after becoming Lawrence’s lawyer in October.
Lawrence was arrested in May 2012 after three people alleged he took money from them to secure legal assistance he didn’t provide.
Police alleged that Lawrence, claiming to be national president of the New Black Panthers Party, took money under false pretenses.
In one allegation, the victim claimed Lawrence accepted $668 as partial payment for what he claimed to be a fee for the National New Black Panthers to march on the victim’s behalf.
Lawrence also allegedly collected a $125 fee for membership in the New Black Panthers, when the actual fee is $25.
In the second case, the victim alleged he gave Lawrence $700 to provide legal assistance in his Acadia Parish case.
Lawrence allegedly promised the victim everything would be “okay” and that Lawrence would be with him in court. When the victim’s court date came up however, Lawrence was not there, according to the victim.
In the third complaint, a woman said she paid Lawrence $600 for her son to attend a New Black Panthers mentoring program after his arrest.
Lawrence allegedly promised the victim he was working closely alongside her attorney, but the attorney later advised her he did not know who Lawrence was, according to the report.
In each case, Lawrence allegedly ceased contact with the victim after being given money, the reports state.
Lawrence is charged with three counts of theft over $500.