Nate Lyon Dies in Sulfuric Acid Attack, Mother Speaking Out Year Later

By Adrianna Iwasinski, NEWS 9

WAYNOKA, Oklahoma -- A mother is speaking out about what she calls a senseless attack involving sulfuric acid that killed her son.

Jason Michael Nelson, 34, was sentenced to life for the incident a year and a half ago that killed Nathan Lyon. A judge recently accepted his guilty plea behind closed doors. That action angered many from the small town of Waynoka. Many members of the community had filled the courtroom hoping to hear the plea in open court.

"He told me he was going to die. He told me that the murderer told him this would kill him and he was going to die," said Tracy Lyon.

Those were the last words Tracy Lyon ever heard from her son, Nate. Now all she has left is a table full of memories of a life that had so much promise, but was cut tragically short.

"It's hard not to see him play football. We were going to see his college football games and stuff, it's hard," said Nate's sister Korbi Lyon.

Nathan suffered third-degree burns on his face, chest and arms after having sulfuric acid thrown on him.

He was rushed to a Kansas hospital but died a week later.

Nathan had confronted Nelson over an explicit text message he had sent to one of his friends and the two were supposed to fight.

"And before any words were exchanged any punches were thrown, he threw the acid in Nate's face," said Tracy Lyon.

The attack brought the small town of Waynoka even closer together as they rallied around the family through this very tough time. It even united the rival football teams together.

"We've been there for them and we always will because we're all good friends," said Jake Bowers, Nate's friend.

Many were in the courtroom for the pleading and were hoping to see Nate's killer face to face. Instead the judge decided to do it behind closed doors.

"We were just stunned," Tracy Lyon said. "We were just wanting the chance to hear him say he was guilty and we did not get that opportunity."

Though she and others feel as if they've been robbed, Tracy Lyon said they will move forward and focus on the positive impact Nate's life had on others. She hopes that by sharing her son's story she can teach others how anger and bad decisions can ruin many lives.

As for the town of Waynoka, they plan on keeping number 12's memory alive.

"He's gone but he will always be remembered," said Skylar Ross, Nate's Cousin

Judge Ray Dean Linder defends his action saying he did it out of caution. He had been informed by local officers that there could be a disturbance in the courtroom filled with over 70 people. He said he wasn't trying to hide anything, instead he was trying to protect and prevent a combustable situation.

More: Man Accused of Throwing Sulfuric Acid on Teen Sentenced to Life in Prison