This is a very unusual accident. Police reopened the investigation into Johnsons death earlier this month, five years after the Department of Justice formally closed the original case after being unable to find enough evidence that someone or some group of people willfully violated Kendrick Johnsons civil rights or committed any other prosecutable federal crime.. The Johnson family and their attorney could not immediately be reached on Tuesday. You didnt find nothing in 17 boxes? In 2016, federal prosecutors said that to bring a case to trial, they would have to show two things: that Kendrick had been killed, and that the killing had been motivated by racial animus.. Lowndes County sheriff's investigators concluded that he died in a freak accident, falling headfirst into an Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. You do not believe there was anything criminal? Thomas asked Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk. Paulk said he will personally lead the reopened investigation, which will include some officials who worked on it the first time as well as some new to it. In all the evidence weve seen, there is nothing to show that anybody murdered Kendrick Johnson right now. The exclusive clip above, featuring Lewiss voice, details some of the explosive findings in the documentary. Channel 2s Tony Thomas was in Valdosta Thursday as Johnsons parents called the sheriff a liar and part of a much bigger cover-up. The findings of Mr. Andersons autopsy, conducted five months after Kendricks death, contradicted the conclusions of the medical examiner at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, who in 2013 issued an autopsy report that determined the cause of death was positional asphyxia, suggesting that Kendrick had become trapped upside-down in the rolled-up mat and had suffocated. Paulk had been trying to obtain those federal investigation documents since April 2019. Thats the craziest lie you could have told. [Investigation reopened into Georgia teenager found dead inside gym mat], Kendrick Johnson's parents, Kenneth and Jackie, have pushed for more investigation into their son's death. "When the news came down, I can say that, in one breath, they're grateful, they're thankful for the reopening," Coleman said. Credle turned whistleblower, and revealed a series of disturbing irregularities in the investigation, including red flags from the medical examiners office, missing evidence from the crime scene, and the coverups and obstruction of justice from the FBI., When the family hired their own Forensic Pathologist, not only did he find KJs organs missing from his body during the autopsy, he determined the cause of death to be from non-accidental blunt force trauma, according to a description of the film. Coleman said he and Johnson's family felt the number of boxes was symbolic, as it matches the years of Johnson's short life. A Georgia sheriff who recently closed the case ofKendrick Johnson, the 17-year-old who was found dead and rolled up in a gym mat in 2013, is offering $500,000 for any information that leads to an arrest or conviction in the case. 2nd Investigation Rules Death of Teen Kendrick Johnson Was a Freak Accident, Case of Kendrick Johnson, Georgia Teen Found Dead in Rolled-Up Gym Mat, Is Reopened by Sheriff's Office, Man Who Killed Young Police Officer in 1981 Was Serial Killer Who Murdered 4 Other Women, Cops Say DNA Reveals, Suspect Arrested for Home Invasion Murder of Jacqueline Avant, Music Execs Wife. Federal prosecutors began reviewing the case in 2013 after the family requested a separate investigation. That critical question has defied an easy answer since 2013, despite multiple investigations, autopsies and lawsuits. Anyone can read what you share. The 17-year In his report, Sheriff Paulk said he knew there will still be a contingent that will believe there was foul play., He added in the report, I encourage everyone to study ALL the evidence in this file before forming an opinion., Death of Georgia Teen Found in Gym Mat Was Weird Accident, Sheriff Says, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/27/us/kendrick-johnson-georgia-investigation.html. WebCNN A second local investigation into the 2013 death of Kendrick Johnson, the Georgia teenager who was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat, has been closed with no charges State and local law enforcement officials ruled the death an accidental asphyxiation, saying Johnson died after he climbed into the mat to retrieve his sneakers. "But in that same breath, 'cautiously optimistic' probably would be the most accurate label. [PHOTOS: Images included in Kendrick Johnson death findings report]. VALDOSTA, Ga. The parents of a South Georgia teen found dead inside a high school gym say they are finding new evidence in the case. They wont publicly say what that new info is. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. It is one of those cases that provides more questions than it does answers. A Georgia sheriff's office is reopening an investigation into the 2013 death of Kendrick Johnson, a Black teenager whose body was found inside a rolled-up gym mat in his high school gymnasium. Ive looked at everything I can look at. All Rights Reserved. WebQuestions, investigations and lawsuits have abounded in the years since Johnson's body was discovered at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga., in January 2013. Video shows Johnson walking into and then through the gym on January 10, 2013. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. WebKendrick was found dead in the gymnasium at 10:30 a.m. on January 11, roughly 10 hours after his family reported him missing. Lowndes County Sheriff's findings on death of Kendrick Johnson by Jennifer Smith on Scribd. "As I engaged in community activities myself here and across the country, it just never sat well with me the way that Kendrick Johnson's case was closed," Coleman said. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. WebKendrick Johnson, 17, was found dead and rolled up inside a high school gym mat back in 2013. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The truth is the truth, Mr. Johnson said. They did so through Marcus Coleman, a community activist who has served as their family spokesperson for the last eight years. Sheriff says case closed after his investigation finds Kendrick Johnsons death was no crime. WebKendrick Johnson's body was found upside down in a rolled-up wrestling mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia, on Jan. 11, 2013. 17-year-student who was found dead in 2013 in a rolled-up gym mat, concluding that Kendrick Johnson's death was an accident and no charges would be filed, Feds to investigate mysterious teen gym mat death. Paulk said that he and two detectives pored over about 17 boxes of files for a year before releasing the report. HOUSTON Kendrick Johnson was found guilty by a jury for the murder of a Lamar High School student in 2018. Assembling the case records for a new investigation. A family spokesperson told NPR they are "cautiously optimistic" after the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office reopened its investigation last week. Minyvonne Burkeis a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Its going to come out, no matter how many layers they put on Kendrick, its going to come out, mother Jaqueline Johnson said. State authorities ruled his death an accident in 2013, suggesting he dove into the mat to retrieve a shoe and got trapped inside, after an autopsy found that he died of "positional asphyxia." The new documentary Finding Kendrick Johnson hopes to shed light on one of the most important American stories of our time. Writer-director-producer Jason Pollock (Stranger Fruit) spent four years on the film, and as part of his efforts interviewed Mitch Credle, a homicide detective who worked the case. At 1:27 p.m. that day, camera footage showed Kendrick walking by himself into the gym, toward the bleachers, where gym mats were rolled and stored vertically. WebSheriff reopens investigation into death of Kendrick Johnson, found dead inside gym mat; Family of Kendrick Johnson continues to seek answers to questions that surround his You do not believe there was anything criminal? Thomas asked Paulk. To this day, no one knows where KJs organs have gone. Johnson was found dead on Jan. 11, 2013 inside of a tightly rolled gym mat by classmates atLowndes High School in Valdosta,Georgia. After a 16-page synopsis concludedthat Johnsons death was an accident last month, Johnsons family still maintains that he was murdered. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. After the release of my synopsis of the Federal files on the Kendrick Johnson case, his parents have called me a liar and continue to state that Kendrick was murdered," Lowndes County SheriffAshley Paulk said in a statement on Monday. WebFamily: New audio confession in Kendrick Johnson case handed to investigators 185,990 views Mar 19, 2021 3.8K Dislike Share 11Alive 851K subscribers The tape reportedly Johnsons parents say students at the time of Kendricks death have started coming forward, providing new information they hope to use to reignite yet another official investigation. Johnson, 53, said that a forensic pathologist hired by the family, William R. Anderson, had found that the cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the right side of the boys Kendrick was in school, one of the safest places your child can be in and my son lost his life but for what, said Johnson. What happened to Ryan after he gave his statement?Can the Ashes to Ash team discover what really happened to Kendrick on January 10th, 2013? "I dont really feel like theres anybody out there with knowledge and from what Ive seen I studied all the camera angles and everything else it was a tragic accident. Questions over Kendrick's death began on Jan. 11, 2013, the moment he was found inside a rolled-up wrestling mat, which was standing upright in a corner of the gym. His parents believe Kendrick was murdered. Last month the sheriff's office received what Paulk described as 17 "filing cabinet boxes" of evidence including documents and hard drives. Johnson was found dead in a high school gym That report also ruled the death accidental and caused by asphyxiation but was later amended to say the cause of death was undetermined.. His feet were visible from the top of the mat, the report said. Footage from cameras at the high school showed that Kendrick did not cross paths with either of the two other people in the federal investigation at any point on Jan. 10, 2013, the day he died, the report said. Sheriff says recording thought to show proof Kendrick Johnson was murdered, was a cruel hoax His family says despite the setback, they are not giving up hope. The federal investigation focused on the two students and another person, according to Sheriff Paulks report. Sheriff says case closed after his investigation finds Kendrick Johnsons death was no crime Jaqueline Johnson said she doesnt trust local authorities and wants federal investigators to take another look at what happened to her son here nine years ago. Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @AshesToAshTVDo you have a tip you'd like to give the Ashes To Ash team? Please subscribe of the website www.AshesToAshTV.com to get early access to the episodes, discounted merchandise, and ad free content. A teacher and students found his body the next morning. Kendrick Johnson, then 17, was found in January 2013 at Lowndes County High School, stuck upside down in an upright mat behind the bleachers. Paulk said his review of the extensive FBI investigation, 17 boxes worth of evidence and his own look at the 2013 death of Johnson has come to the same conclusion. Paulktold Inside Edition Digitalthat there remains no evidence of foul play in the case. WebHis death has been ruled accidental and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation officially closed its investigation in June of 2020 but the family has long believed Johnson was murdered. "Because of these statements, I am personally with my own funds offering a reward of one-half million dollars ($500,000.00) to anyone who comes forward with information that results in the arrest and conviction of a person for the alleged murder of Kendrick Johnson at Lowndes High School.". Authorities say it appears he was trying to reach for a shoe he had left inside the mat before winter break, got stuck and died. WebRyan Anthony comes forward with some information regarding what may have happened to Kendrick Johnson. Michael J. Moore, the former U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia who agreed to review the case in 2013, said on Thursday that there was never pressure to find results one way or the other., The only instruction that we got was to look at the evidence and follow where it leads you, he said.
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