Feds Nab Cellphones, Computers From Kendrick Johnson’s Classmates; Forensics Find Blunt Force Trauma Evidence
By Staff Reporter | Jul 25, 2015 07:32 AM EDT
Federal marshals nab computers, cellphones, cameras and other electronic communications devices from the classmates of Kendrick Johnson, a student from Lowndes County High School in Georgia, who died in January 2013.
The federal grand jury is currently investigating the case, including alleged witness tampering, according to Daily News. The search warrant was served Thursday to the families of at least two students in relation to Johnson's death, which was originally declared as accidental.
The state's medical examiner cited that the cause of death was "positional asphyxia." However, forensic pathologist hired by Johnson's family found evidence of non-accidental blunt force trauma and said that his death was a result of homicide.
Johnson, who was then 17, was found dead a day after he was reported missing. His body was stuck upside down in a mat, which was vertically positioned against the wall in Lowndes High School gym.
In addition, Federal agents also brought a warrant to Lowndes County IT office to copy the emails related to the investigation of Johnson's death from the sheriff's office. CNN has learned that they went there Tuesday and Wednesday.
Jim Elliot, Lowndes County Attorney, declined to provide a copy of the warrant. He also said that he didn't know which emails were copied from the sheriff's computer.
A lawsuit of $100 million was filed by Johnson's parents, claiming that several of his former classmates beat him to death. It accuses two of Johnson's former classmates, who are brothers, and their father, who is local FBI agent, of wrongful death.
Brice Ladson, lawyer of the respondents, filed a countersuit stating that Johnson's parents damaged their reputation by falsely accusing them of murder, Daily Mail reported.
Attorney Michael Moore of Middle District of Georgia, who agreed to review the pieces of evidence of Johnson's case, declined to comment on the warrants.
No findings pertaining to the investigation of Johnson's death have been released as of the moment.
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