© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Wrongful Death Suit Latest Action By Kendrick Johnson's Family Against Ga. School Board

Justice for Kendrick Johnson's facebook page

A wrongful death lawsuit is the latest legal action the parents of a South Georgia teen found dead inside a gym mat have taken against the school administrators.

In January of last year, Kendrick Johnson’s body was found by classmates inside of a rolled-up mat in Lowndes County High School gym.

Sheriff’s investigators say the 17-year-old was the victim of a freak accident, but Johnson’s parents maintain that’s not the truth and they’ll get justice for their son.

Credit Justice for Kendrick Johnson's facebook page
/
Justice for Kendrick Johnson's facebook page
The parents of Kendrick Johnson

“And, this is very hard. This is going to be a long road, but we will stand,” said Kendrick’s father, Kenneth Johnson said last year at a Tallahassee forum.

A federal investigation into the case has revealed no findings. Johnson’s parents had a negligence suit against the school district in May.

Now, in their latest suit against the Lowndes County School board, the parents of Kendrick Johnson accuse school administrators and officials for allowing their son to die “at the hands of one or more students” while he was on school grounds.

Johnson’s parents believe someone killed their son, especially after hearing reports of a white student who “repeatedly harassed” their child, who was black.

Meanwhile, in a statement, lawyer for the school board, Warren Turner, says since the district has not yet been served with the suit, it would be “premature to make a comment at this time.”

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.