Off-duty deputy who dramatically lost the chance to plead to manslaughter for shooting cop roommate in the head is in way more trouble now

A erstwhile Florida sheriff's lawman who was off-duty erstwhile helium allegedly changeable his roommate successful the caput portion they played Call of Duty present faces much superior charges.

Andrew Lawson, 26, was primitively charged with manslaughter successful transportation with the fatal shooting of his friend, roommate, and erstwhile colleague, 23-year-old Austin Walsh. On Thursday, the state's attorney's bureau filed to upgrade the complaint to second-degree murder. The filing comes astir 3 months aft Lawson attempted to plead blameworthy to manslaughter, but the tribunal rejected the plea deal, according to online tribunal records.

According to reporting by section NBC affiliate WESH, 18th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michelle Naberhaus halted the Jan. 30 sentencing proceeding aft four hours of unfortunate interaction statements. Lawson was acceptable to person a condemnation of 7 years successful situation aft pleading blameworthy to manslaughter. At the adjacent of the hearing, Lawson withdrew his plea.

A second-degree execution complaint could effect successful a beingness condemnation if Lawson is convicted. WESH reported that Lawson's defence attorneys sought intelligence wellness rehabilitation for their lawsuit alternatively than imprisonment.

As Law&Crime antecedently reported, Lawson and Walsh, who was besides a lawman with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, were playing Call of Duty connected the nighttime of Dec. 3, 2022, portion some were disconnected from work. The 2 roommates were astatine their Palm Bay, Florida, flat and successful betwixt gaming sessions erstwhile Lawson allegedly picked up a weapon that helium believed was unloaded and "jokingly" aimed it astatine the antheral helium later described as his "best friend."

More from Law&Crime: Off-duty lawman successful betwixt 'Call of Duty' sessions shoots bull roommate successful the caput aft 'jokingly' aiming a weapon astatine him and pulling the trigger twice

According to an affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, Lawson pulled the trigger and the weapon did not spell off. Lawson past allegedly "again pointed the firearm astatine Walsh and again pulled the trigger," this clip firing a slug into Walsh's head, sidesplitting him instantly.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey recounted astatine the clip that Lawson was "fully distraught and devastated" erstwhile Palm Bay constabulary arrived astatine the deputies' home.

Lawson's adjacent tribunal day is scheduled for April 30.