CNN.com is reporting that the family of Kendrick Johnson is taking wrongful death legal action against school officials in the suspcious death of their son. Johnson, 17, was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in January 2013.
CNN‘s Alan Duke writes:
“His parents earlier filed a negligence lawsuit against the south Georgia school district claiming it was negligent and violated Johnson’s constitutional right to equal protection based on race. Johnson, 17 when he died, was African-American.
The new lawsuit accuses the Lowndes County Board of Education, its superintendent and the high school principal of ignoring reports that Johnson was repeatedly attacked and harassed by a white student.”
Johnson apparently suffered multiple physical attacks at the hands of a fellow white student and was threatened by the boy’s older brother with the words “It ain’t over” after an altercation on a school bus. The altercation occurred after Johnson’s mother had complained repeatedly to school officials about the attacks including one that took place in front of the coaching staff and school employees. This must be any parent’s nightmare. But as a parent, it is your duty to do whatever you can for your kid, even if it means filing for a wrongful death lawsuit. With the help of professionals like Attorney Michael R. Rowland, hopefully the family or anyone who ever has to go through something like this will finally get closure and the fact of knowing they can finally move forward.
His parents said school officials failed to interview Johnson or any eyewitnesses following the altercations. They believe that these factors, in addition to independent autopsy findings that Johnson’s death was a homicide have led them to file suit.
Read more at CNN.com.
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