Billey Joe Johnson's tragic death at a traffic stop in Mississippi a few months ago drew enough attention to garner NAACP involvement. Additionally, there was enough suspicion surrounding the circumstances of his passing that a grand jury was convened to gather information and decide if the shotgun round that killed him was fired on accident or purposefully.The grand jury issued their report today and ruled that it was indeed accidental.
The ruling Thursday tracks the conclusion of the initial investigation that Billey Joe Johnson had shot himself with a 12-gauge shotgun.So, the grand jury's ruling does three things, then. First, it confirms the NAACP's conclusion that suicide was not the cause of Johnson's death (how the NAACP intended that ruling to be taken by the general public may be up for debate).
Johnson's family and the NAACP had rejected suicide as the cause of the death. They have said he had too much to live for including a shot at playing in the NFL.
Secondly, it rules out any potential for a violent death. This was an unspoken issue, but considering the natural racial overtones that surround the incident's circumstances, well, it was there. The police department, with this ruling, appears to be off the hook.
And finally, it would appear that Johnson's family has little reason to ever consider filing a lawsuit in this matter, barring some defective issue with the shotgun. And that's not to say this is the last we'll hear about Johnson's family or the late high-school superstar; there's a chance, given the extremely mysterious nature of his death, that more evidence surfaces. But for now, the book appears at least partially shut in the public eye.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-12-2009 @ 6:26PM
uggh said...
Was there any doubt?? this incident occurred in Mississippi! Where "tragic accidents" to minorities are a regular occurrence...lol..
Still don't get why any minority athlete would ever play for a school in the south..even if their family is still is there, they should do all they can to move away from the area and play elsewhere..
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2-13-2009 @ 10:29AM
johnr75 said...
If you don't like it then get the hell out. Your statement is racist to assume this was done by a white person. Real stats show the murder rate in the black community is much higher than other areas. The next time you want to assume someone or a group is guilty because of "their color" then look in the mirror.
2-13-2009 @ 12:38AM
J.W. said...
Great here goes another riot. Now its another time for one of them to pick up some more food stamps. Im sorry your child shot himself maybe he was depressed and knew if he came home with a ticket you would have shot him. Im sorry shit happens but please stop pulling the race card it only pisses all the white people off even more. at least the mexicans know not to pull that card. Now the grand jury has said your son shot himself now deal with it.
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2-13-2009 @ 3:21AM
Timbo said...
uggh said: Still don't get why any minority athlete would ever play for a school in the south..--------->Because they want to win National Championships dufus, not dream about them!
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2-13-2009 @ 12:54PM
T.mcswain said...
Well to the family im really sorry about the lost.. I can say i understand what your going through. I do i lost a many of people its life and some people its harder for them to move on but you will see him again. My prays goes out to all of you.
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2-13-2009 @ 10:46PM
Paul said...
you stupid fools that blame the south for this have no idea what you are talking about. Racial relations here (i live 20 miles from George County) are a lot better than many Northern Cities i have lived in. I guess if the SEC would keep whipping my Yankee foot ball teams ass every year i would hate them also. Why do they play for Southern teams? bcause its thier home you racist morons. There are many facets to this story that have not come out in the egg-sucking if it bleeds it leads press.
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