https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a34452069/joann-romain-theories-disppearance-death-unsolved-mysteries/. The facts are so crystal clear that even a Federal Judgethat oversaw this case stated, The disputed facts in this matter are VERYDISTURBINGand until this day remain unresolved. YET, NO ONE IN ANY HIGHER LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY OR POSITION OF POLITICALPOWERhas taken this case seriously. url: 'over,a,million,people,are,calling,for,the,investigation,into,kendrick,johnsons,death,to,be,reopened', "Jimbo was upset about it," McPherson says. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Marshals last month executed search warrants at the Bells' home, as well as Brian Bell's college dorm room. The man who pushed for that probe, U.S. Attorney Michael Moore, resigned in November to join an Atlanta law firm. His death was initially ruled an accident. VALDOSTA, Ga. Brian Bell is a linebacker without a team, just the latest twist in a complicated tale in which race and class intersect with a mysterious death that authorities call accidental but that an aggrieved and grieving family allege was murder. County investigators ruled Johnsons death accidental, a case of positional asphyxia, claiming he got stuck while reaching for a shoe at the center of the gym mat. Maryanne Gaffney-Kraft, regional medical examiner for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said findings from the crime scene, investigator reports, forensic testing, witness statements, scene photographs and coroner's findings all pointed to accidental death. Webpage:https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/contact/ Contact He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. Count yall days!!! tag: 'mandc,racism', The Johnson family alleges local officials conspired to cover up the crime. Days later, nine community members from the Valdosta area among them McPherson, a school superintendent and lawyers made impassioned pleas on Bell's behalf as they sat around a large oval conference table in Thrasher's office. Moore, the U.S. attorney who had championed the criminal investigation, left office without releasing findings from the FBIs review of school surveillance video, as he had told the Johnsons he would do, according to Coleman. State and local officials ruled Johnson suffocated after reaching for a pair of sneakers inside a mat and getting stuck,theGriopreviously reported. Deputy Constable Eakin pursued him and a scuffle ensued, at which time he was shot in the neck. Stephanie Slifer covers crime and justice for CBSNews.com. The bouncer even admitted he was under the influence and they still didnt test him for anything. They allege he was killed by blunt-force trauma and put into the mat. "Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Article states Kendrick rolled himself in mats behind the bleachers. Johnsons family believes Bell and his brother, Branden, had something to do with Kendricks death. There are orange suits in the jail that are eager to be worn. Touchton says Egan mentioned Crump at the meeting. Off Duty Officer Bert Delong (employee of Nowhere), was one of the officers who stepped into the investigation. Kenneth and Jacquelyn Johnson have never bought that theory about their sons death. She was completely caught off guard. But 27 months and two grand juries after the federal investigation began, no charges have been filed. The agents arrived simultaneously at the home of Rick and Karen Bell; the college dormitory room of their son, Brian; the Valdosta State dorm room of their other son; Brandon; the home of former Lowndes High student Ryan Hall; the college dorm room of another former Lowndes student and current Valdosta State student, Taylor Eakin, and the Valdosta home of Eakins parents between 4 and 5 a.m. !, the petition states. His rights were violated by LMPD and the Commonwealth's Attorney's office. According to the Valdosta Daily Times, Rick Bell and his sons were issued target letters last year to appear before Moore's grand jury, but refused. Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. As reported by theGrio, the protest and nationwide civil unrest over the death ofGeorge Floydin 2020 sparked a petition calling for the investigation into the death of Johnsonto be reopened. U.S. The Johnsons suit casts Bell as a puppet master of sorts who once challenged Kendrick to come over to the Bells house to fight his son. It worked. ", Ray Glier and Erik Brady, USA TODAY Sports, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Paul Threlkeld, an attorney representing the Bell family, as well as the family of 18-year-old Taylor Eakin - Brian Bell's girlfriend - told 48 Hours' Crimesider on Thursday that warrants were executed early Tuesday morning at the Bell and Eakin homes, as well as Brian Bell's college dorm room. Log In. Brian enrolled in a work-study program his senior year, spending only half a day on campus, where he became a pariah. https://amp.freep.com/amp/78872962 "I have players who have gone on to Division I and play in the NFL, and Brian is right there with the others as far as talent," McPherson says. Christophers rights were not respected. August 25, 2015 / 2:10 PM The law doesnt require them to say, Its over, Ferguson, Brian Bells lawyer, said. Brain Bell And Taylor Eakin took part in murdering KENDRICK JOHNSON. TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Branden Bell, according to teammates, his coach and the bus driver, was en route to a wrestling tournament in Macon at the time. targeting: { The feds seem to agree. Mail: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney, General Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120 Bell threatened Johnson and later killed him. Federal prosecutor Michael Moore convened a grand jury last year after brushing aside the findings of local and state law enforcement agencies that ruled Johnsons death was an accident, and federal authorities opened a murder investigation. Last fall, the Justice Department sought to delay the exchange of evidence known as discovery in the Johnsons lawsuit, as well as in a countersuit filed by the Bells. What changed? Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the age of Branden Bell in relation to his brother, Brian. Johnsons parents, who also filed a lawsuit against the Lowndes County Board of Education and the board members, have been fighting for over two years to establish the truth and seek justice for their son. Brian and his older brother, Branden, appear to have solid alibis for the time when Johnson was seen on school surveillance footage entering the gym on the afternoon of Jan. 10, 2013. Randell Meyers only intention was to grab his belongings after Gary Hilyer let him know he could. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. A massive cover-up to protect the killers ensued, the suit alleges, involving the Lowndes County sheriff, school superintendent, the GBI and the state medical examiners office. Feds Want to Know, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/05/kendrick-johnson-funeral-home_n_4733682.html, His Parents Have Called Me a Liar: Georgia Sheriff Puts Up $500K of His Own Money to Anyone Who Can Prove Kendrick Johnsons Death Was Not an Accident, Who Killed Kendrick?: Sheriff Reopens 2013 Case of Georgia Teen Found Dead Rolled-Up In Gym Mat at His High School, Petition to Reopen Kendrick Johnson Case Exceeds 1 Million Signatures, GBI Says Case Will Remain Closed. Please sign this petition & spread the word that federal authorities need to reopen this case, so Kendrick & his family can get the justice they deserve!, Disbarred South Carolina Attorney Alex Murdaugh Found Guilty Of Double Murder Of Wife & Son, George Floyds Brother To Lawmakers: & He Didnt Deserve To Die Over $20. Brian Bells Instagram (Photo: Instagram). Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code. "Mr. Moore's review began more than twenty-one months ago, and it has taken a huge personal and professional toll on Special Agent Bell and his family. Reopen Kendrick Johnsons Case #J4Kendrick, Instagram Model, Whose Breast Implant Burst, Wishes She Never Got Plastic Surgery Trying To Get The Extreme Bimbo Look, OMG! BE 100s The Johnsons hired William Anderson, former deputy chief of the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office in Florida, to conduct an independent autopsy. The teams head coach, Jimbo Fisher, had personally courted the promising linebacker. This case was swept to the side from day 1 and I BELIEVE it was a cover-up by LMPD. Furthermore, they say the brothers had motive to harm Johnson since one of the brothers - Brian - had previously been in a fight with him on a school bus about a year before Johnson's death. Reopen Kendrick Johnsons Case #J4Kendrick. Johnson's family, however, insists there was foul play involved. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Hi. Log in to see their photos and videos. Hall, 19, told The Valdosta Daily Times he was at his residence when agents knocked on his door, pushed their way inside and handcuffed him. By singing this petition you will help JoAnn and her family find answers, peaceand Justice! No one has been cleared.. https://gritdaily.com/joann-matouk-romain-unsolved/ Johnsons parents said their son was murdered by Brian Bell, Brandon Bell and Hall at the behest of Rick Bell, who is an FBI agent. Ladson said he was seeking a protective order related to the Bells and Eakins seized phones and computers because they contain privileged attorney-client communications related to the criminal case and civil suits. page_type: 'article', Brain Bell And Taylor Eakin took part in murdering KENDRICK JOHNSON. Instagram: @JusticeforJoAnn No other questioning happened after that. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', But the judge disagreed. The family sued him for wrongful death. https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a34347624/joann-romain-unsolved-mysteries-theories/ . When asked for the primary evidence linking Bell to the death of Johnson, King referred to a "video" but declined to be more specific. I always have my .38 ready, she said. cat: 'news', Brandon Bell, who is both a student at Valdosta High School and the brother of Brian Bell, had got drunk at a party on July 4 of 2013 and told people that Brian Bell killed Kendrick Johnson, the petition alleged. As well as reviewing possible mishandling of evidence & inappropriate behavior on behalf of law enforcement. His ORGANS were STOLEN too. Johnson's family, however, insisted there was foul play involved and had their son's body exhumed for a second autopsy. Neither Moore nor the federal prosecutor in Ohio would comment on the case. Email:info@joshshapiro.org;info@attorneygeneral.gov The bouncer said that after he pushed Christopher out the door of the bar, it made Christopher drop his phone, and upon Christopher picking up his phone, it annoyed Christopher so much that the bouncer's perception is that Christopher swung at him first, yet he said Chistopher never made contact. On Tuesday at 3.30am, U.S. marshals served a search warrant at the homes of Brian and Branden Bell as well as their parents' The Bell brothers were classmates of Kendrick Johnson, who was. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code. VALDOSTA, Ga. -- A group of former FBI agents are asking U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to put an end to the investigation into the death of Kendrick Johnson, the Georgia teen found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat in his high school gymnasium over two years ago. The officers knew and worked with the owners for years. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Rick Bell, Brians father, is an FBI agent. Johnson's family and their attorneys, however, contend both Bell brothers were on campus when Johnson was last seen alive. url: 'over,a,million,people,are,calling,for,the,investigation,into,kendrick,johnsons,death,to,be,reopened', There were two confession statements floating around, which made national news," reads the petition. But this is not one of them, and I'm not going to be bossed around by whites or blacks.". She says she could find none. kw: 'mandc,racism', The Lowndes County Sheriff's Department has stood by its finding that Johnson's death was accidental and maintains at least one of the Bell brothers - Branden - was not on campus when Johnson was last seen alive, and the other was in another part of the building. Nora Eakin, the parent of a student at Lowndes High School and a teacher's assistant, said she has talked to other parents about the tone and atmosphere of the grand jury proceedings and they described the questioning by G.F. "Pete" Peterman III, assistant U.S. Attorney, as aggressive and accusatorial. Facebook: @JoshShapiroPA and @PAAttorneyGen Now, it seems government agents may be investigating the Johnsons' allegations. Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton, is the co-founder, and owner of TheIndustryCosign.com. But answers may never come. His parents moved out of state and, because of the death threats, are under the protective custody of the FBI. Every time there was a rumor I was going somewhere (people on) Twitter would hound the schools, the coaches, telling them I was a murderer, he said. Rose, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Council for Valdosta-Lowndes, originally helped raise money for the Johnsons. The Fort Payne Police Department arrived to the scene after a witness called it in. Rose rejects theories of murder in this case partly because to believe them would mean a conspiracy existed among multiple law enforcement and state agencies. Randell Meyers service was held on January 8th, 2022. "a petty crime"? This petition starter stood up and took action. He says decisions on education are controlled by whites even though black students are the majority. The young players options were dwindling. See Photos. tag: 'mandc,racism', Article states Kendrick rolled himself in mats behind the bleachers. How could I have cheated on Brian if we werent dating at the time? Eakin told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The investigation was also biased as many LMPD officers thwarted the case by being employees of Nowhere Bar. The suit alleges Bell, who is white, held a grudge against Johnson, who was black, after a fight on a team bus in 2011. agent would make sure that he would pay for it, the petition stated. page_type: 'article', Randell Meyers was a good man. The accusation would first surface three days after Kendricks body was discovered. ]); A petition on Change.org that has been posting updates about the case shared the following on Tuesday: Hello hello hello, everyone!!! Those officers should be punished for possible obstruction of justice and not complying with orders by a judge to test the blood and urine of the bouncer. In a wrongful death lawsuit, they allege that Kendrick was beaten and stuffed into the mat by the Bell brothers and a third boy. And even if the FBI has cleared Bell, that doesnt necessarily mean federal prosecutors have. Their lawyers had alleged the footage may have been doctored by state and local investigators. The $100 million suit, filed in January, alleges Brian and Branden Bell -- two brothers who were schoolmates of Johnson -- were encouraged by their father, FBI agent Rick Bell, to "violently assault" Johnson, leading to his death. See id. No charges have been filed in the case. The significance of that last question became apparent when the Johnsons filed their wrongful death lawsuit in January 2015. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. An autopsy conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation agreed, citing asphyxiation as the cause of death. Taylor Eakin slept with Kendrick and Brian Bell then beat him to death with a gym weight. The incident sparked racial strife in the community and gained national attention when Florida State withdrew a football scholarship offer to Bell, who is white. Thank you.. Karl Hicks, FSU's deputy athletics director for external affairs, clarified her position. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Long before Rose came to that conclusion, his SCLC hired Touchton, who was president of the local NAACP four times, and gave her the title of investigator. He says Valdosta is 51% black but that the politics are unfairly controlled by whites. via his Instagram. VALDOSTA, Ga. - Government agents this week executed search warrants at the home of two brothers accused in a civil suit of killing Kendrick Johnson, the Georgia teen found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat in his high school more than two years ago. The people close to this case and those are just learning of it are worried that he may get away with it due to his pockets and status. Gary Hilyer has been called a crook, a coward, and a sinister man by those closest to him. As we remember the importance of honoring our veterans, we must also remember the importance of protecting and taking care of these men and women. The Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI is made up of 8,500 former and active FBI agents and operates independently of the FBI. Furthermore, they say the brothers had motive to harm Johnson since one of the brothers - Brian - had previously been in a fight with him on a school bus about a year before Johnson's death. On Sunday, January 2nd, 2022, Gary Hilyer murdered Randell Meyers in cold blood in Fort Payne, AL. kw: 'mandc,racism', "I had no idea what was going on," she said. The people of Fort Payne and all of his family/friends, all over the world, want Justice to happen. We also have testimony from two people that the bouncer had been doing cocaine the night he murdered Christopher; I have also spoken to many other people close to the bouncer who stated his cocaine problem started soon after he started working at Nowhere. brian bell and taylor eakin the knot. An autopsy conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation agreed, citing asphyxiation as the cause of death. You bet there are. Johnsons lifeless body wasdiscovered at the old Lowndes High School gymnasium in Georgia on January 11, 2013. The case of Kendrick Johnson is being reopened. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing about the investigation has been fair, ethical or just. He was just 17 years old. A spokesperson for Moore, U.S. attorney in the Middle District of Georgia, said he had no comment. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Ladson said he was worried those communications would be made public in court. But Brians attorney, Jason Ferguson, said the FBI has told him it has cleared his client of any involvement. "It was probably just a single pressure application.". 2015 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. And then their chief counsel poured a bucket of cold water on us.". But in the end, the truth will prevail and everybody will find me and my brother are innocent and have always been innocent. But the line of questioning was intense. The residence of 18-year-old Taylor Eakin, Brian Bell's girlfriend, was also searched, according to Paul Threlkeld, an attorney representing the Bell and Eakin families, and, according to the. He added that the agents seized computers, cell phones and other property, including at least one work computer belonging to the Bell brothers' mother, Karen, limiting her ability to do her job. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Yet, he did not consult with any of Christopher's neurosurgeons from that night. Top forensic pathologists all agree the case is highly suspicious of murder. This sounds like a serious abuse of authority., Hazard said the federal government has no jurisdiction to conduct a murder investigation. ..Murder is not petty. But Michael Moore, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced a civil rights inquiry in late 2013, and 15 months later the case is still being heard by a grand jury. Benjamin Crump, a co-counsel to the Johnsons and a noted civil rights attorney, has an office in Tallahassee and is frequently on the Florida State campus. Masthead. Both the Johnsons and the Bells are desperate for closure. "What Carolyn was saying is that certainly Ben Crump is in this community and he does work on our campus and that it would be an uncomfortable situation for the young man," Hicks says. kw: 'mandc,racism', Cohn drove the bouncer back to his car at Nowhere Bar after the questioning at the police station; in that car ride, the bouncer then tells Cohn he can't remember if he hit Christopher once or more than once. Johnson's family and their attorneys, however, contend both Bell brothers were on campus when Johnson was last seen alive. Floyd Rose, who is black, is president of a local civil rights organization and originally backed the Johnson family. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. He is missed by everyone so deeply. After initially ruling Ellens death to be a homicide, the Philadelphia Medical Examiners Officer, at the insistence of the Philadelphia Police, suspiciously reversed itself weeks later and declared Ellens death to be a suicide. If the facts led to some conclusion, we need to know that.. at 2. The familys third autopsy supported the results of the second and that Johnson died of non-accidental trauma to his body,Atlanta Black Starreported. Why would two bystanders lie about something like this? Facebook: @ Justice for JoAnn Matouk Romain You cant tell me that this case was looked into or executed properly. GoFundMe: GoFundMe Link Demonstrators in front of the Georgia State Capitol during a "Who Killed K.J." This Account is Private Already follow tayloreakin? Again, a major conflict of interest. tude.cmd.push(function() { In the meantime life in Valdosta had become a struggle for Eakin and the Bells. Gary Hilyer was not charged with anything. The suit also alleges local officials tried to cover up the crime. Whatever the case, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher called McPherson the morning after the meeting with bad news. No one has been willing to do a realinvestigation, make local law enforcement officials accountable, and bring the suspects to JUSTICE. "The Sheriff's Office and Lowndes County have fully cooperated and provided them with the requested information," Jim Elliott, who represents the sheriff's department as the attorney for Lowndes County, told Crimesider Thursday. Sales Partnership Solutions env: 'prod', The length of the investigation has raised the emotional temperature in this town less than 20 miles north of the Georgia-Florida state line. 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