https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2021/05/14/new-revelations-in-a-grosse-pointe-womans-mysterious-death/ The Change.org petitionis currently calling on the public to help with the Justice for Kendrick Johnson campaign. She says she could find none. Relationship between Taylor Eakin and Kendrick Johnson It was rumored that Brian Bell was angry with Kendrick Johnson because he had a relationship with Taylor Eakin. According to Brandon Bell, Brian Bell had told Ryan that if he did not keep quiet and help him move Kendrick Johnsons body, his father, who isRick Bell, who is a retired F.B.I. Facebook: @ Justice for JoAnn Matouk Romain "Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a34347624/joann-romain-unsolved-mysteries-theories/ They were VERY matter-of-fact statements. A few months before Moore opened his review of the case, the U.S. Justice Department declined a request to open a civil rights investigation into Johnsons death, saying it had reviewed the case file and did not see sufficient indication of a civil rights violation.. The local sheriff's department ruled the 17-year-old Johnson's January 10, 2013 a freak accident, saying he fell head-first into an upright mat in the gymnasium at Lowndes High School in Valdosta while trying to retrieve a shoe, and became trapped. Voulez-vous changer quelque chose ? Randell Meyers was a devoted husband, loving father/step-dad, and a passionate pop/paw-paw. It was then that a private pathologist concluded the teen died of blunt force trauma to the neck. Some bills to watch, Atlanta neighbors want to reclaim and revitalize the Joyland neighborhood. In response to the wrongful death suit filed by the Johnson family, the Bells have filed a countersuit alleging defamation. In the body camera footage, none of their words are slurred at all. 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. 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 one of the officer's body camera footage, he is overheard asking a Nowhere employee "They weren't talking about messing with the security cameras, were they?" Given the mysterious deaths of Sandra Bland in Waller County, Texas, 18-year-old Kindra Chapman in Ala., and Kendrick Johnson in Lowndes County, Ga., we are reminded that #BlackLivesMatter and justice must be done. pos: 'right_rail_2', You cant tell me that this case was looked into or executed properly. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. } It was to be the crowning achievement of his young life, the fulfillment of a goal 14 years in the making. Stephanie Slifer covers crime and justice for CBSNews.com. CNN reported that federal marshals, warrant in hand, seized emails from the Lowndes County sheriffs office on July 21 and 22 related to the federal grand jury investigation into the teens death. The suit alleges Bell, who is white, held a grudge against Johnson, who was black, after a fight on a team bus in 2011. About Masthead. All Moore has said about the case is that it "has proven more complicated.". Earlier this year, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Johnsons parents, Jacquelyn and Kenneth Johnson, filed a $100 million wrongful death lawsuit. }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); or. Works at Piedmont. page_type: 'article', In a hearing in Lowndes Superior Court in November, Tim Tanner, legal counsel for the city of Valdosta, a defendant in the wrongful death suit, presented sworn testimony from Kenneth Johnson acknowledging that he had no evidence that his son was murdered. According to a report released Monday by WALB News 10, the Lowndes County Sheriffs Office has reopened the Johnson case. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. She didn't suggest at all that Ben Crump had anything to do with any decision at Florida State. Taylor Eakin. Colombia wants to deport "cocaine hippos" to stop them from multiplying, Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murders of wife and son, How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, a federal investigation initiated in October 2013 by U.S. Attorney Michael Moore is ongoing, at least one of the Bell brothers - Branden - was not on campus, contend both Bell brothers were on campus, The Bell family earlier this year filed a countersuit. https://amp.freep.com/amp/78872962 page_type: 'article', It worked. Or he could still be out there hurting others. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Marshals last month executed search warrants at the Bells' home, as well as Brian Bell's college dorm room. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', However, Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine said in a phone conversation with us in May 2020 that Christopher's head did strike the ground. The worst part is to have to bury him a third time like another whole funeral and hes leaving us again.. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Publicly, at least, no evidence has surfaced that links the Bells to Johnsons death. It also noted that the male students were said to have been jealous of him. https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/mysterious-death-joann-matouk-romain-part-1/ And so Bell finds himself in limbo. But Rose, 76, no longer thinks Kendrick Johnson was murdered. In January 2013, Kendrick Johnson, a 17-year-old black student, was found dead in a rolled-up wrestling mat at Lowndes High. Brian Bell has also stated that he killed Kendrick Johnson multiple times over the phone. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Local and state police investigators said Johnsons death was accidental, concluding he crawled inside the standing gym mat to retrieve a shoe and became stuck and asphyxiated. The body of the high school sophomore was discovered rolled up in a gym mat. 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. url: 'over,a,million,people,are,calling,for,the,investigation,into,kendrick,johnsons,death,to,be,reopened', "According to Brandon Bell, Brian Bell had told Ryan that if he did not keep quiet and help him move Kendrick Johnson's body, his father, who is Rick Bell,. These women were murdered with a knife in the most horrific way possible. The attorney representing the family of Floyd, in 2012 is HORRIFIC, yet his killer was never held accountable. The night of the incident, when I was at the hospital, LMPD Detective Michael McLaurine came to speak to my family and I, and he stated he used to work at Nowhere Bar too. An autopsy conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation agreed, citing asphyxiation as the cause of death. 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! rally in memory of Kendrick Johnson, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, in Atlanta. targeting: { The bouncer even admitted he was under the influence and they still didnt test him for anything. "They can ridicule me and they can say whatever they want. In a letter dated August 10, 2020, from Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine, he wrote "it is our opinion that the one blow will not meet the elements of either extreme indifference to human life or conduct which creates a grave risk of death or serious physical injury." Yet, what he told police is that Christopher wasn't much trouble, that he was very intoxicated and couldn't stand up straight. Johnsons lifeless body wasdiscovered at the old Lowndes High School gymnasium in Georgia on January 11, 2013. Local and state investigators concluded he died of positional asphyxia. They believe Kendrick became trapped in the mat while reaching for a pair of sneakers at the bottom. I have this entire conversation on audio recording. tude.cmd.push(function() { Rose says it is not easy for him to be aligned against an African-American family that is challenging white authorities in south Georgia. rally in memory of their son, Kendrick Johnson, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, in Atlanta. "I want everyone to know the truth," Branden Bell told WSB-TV in an on-camera interview. 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. This petition starter stood up and took action. Ladson said he was worried those communications would be made public in court. They are now comparing the old information to new information learned about the case. No one has been cleared.. The sheriff's department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and its pathologist are among the law enforcement entities named in the suit. He does not appear to have an Instagram account. Kendricks body was found Jan. 11, upside down in a 6-foot-high cheerleaders mat that was rolled up and stacked vertically among at least a dozen others. https://t.co/BlYQlKVzKl https://t.co/16yxY9cL8y, Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 6, 2020. We bring news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and entertained. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS I couldnt escape it.. Unfortunately, he did not leave that day with his tools nor his life. 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. These two witnesses, Ryane Conroy said were too drunk to take their statements seriously. "You won't find a person of any reputation in this town who says that boy was murdered," he tells USA TODAY Sports. And how well did she know Kendrick? Its no wonder things were not looked into properly. #OrganHarvesting, Proof: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/05/kendrick-johnson-funeral-home_n_4733682.html. Read More: Georgia Republicans want to get rid of Sunday voting. Death threats continue to this day more than 100 have been turned over to the FBI, said Brians mother, Karen Bell such as this one posted on her youngest sons Instagram page a few weeks ago: We see u in Canada. 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Moore announced Oct. 31, 2013, that he was leading an investigation into the Johnsons death. } His death was initially ruled an accident. Id. It states that Taylor Eakin, Brian Bell's girlfriend, confessed to sleeping with Kendrick Johnson. subcat: '', 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Christophers rights were not respected. ,Kristina,Trnqvist,Johan,Rabaeus,Maria,Langhammer;, . Now, it seems government agents may be investigating the Johnsons' allegations. Instagram: @JusticeforJoAnn Then he was out. SistersInc. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Several other people who were in the vehicle at the time were arrested by other responding deputies. The agents took items from the house but did not give him a list of what they took, Hall told the Times. A private autopsy performed for the Johnsons suggested Kendricks death was caused by blunt force trauma. News media reports have described how athletics department "fixers" and local police smoothed over past cases of theft, destruction of private property and late-night vehicle accidents by other players. Jun 26, 2020 This statement was made by Ryan Anthony Domek-Hernandez-Hernandez. When asked for the primary evidence linking Bell to the death of Johnson, King referred to a "video" but declined to be more specific. It states that Taylor Eakin, Brian Bell's girlfriend, confessed to sleeping with Kendrick Johnson. A massive cover-up to protect the killers ensued, the suit alleges. Would she ever date an African-American? Email:
[email protected];
[email protected] Follow us on: Moore has repeatedly declined to answer those questions, citing the ongoing investigation. Josh Shapiro is planning to run for Governor of Pennsylvania in 2022 our hope is everyone can persuade Josh Shapiro that he cannot sweep Ellens case under the rug as he seeks a higher office. Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. The Johnsons filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Bells. "There is no evidence he was beaten," Anderson said. Brice Ladson, the Bell family's attorney, did not respond to requests to speak to them. https://gangsterreport.com/the-pointes-of-contention-joann-matouk-romains-suspicious-death-was-most-likely-a-murder/ Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Attorney General, is the only person with the power to re-open Ellens case. Subscribe to our newsletter and get the daily tea and access to private events with Hollywood Unlocked. Their lawyers had alleged the footage may have been doctored by state and local investigators. The primary ways to contact him include: People named Taylor Eakin. However, they state utilizing familial DNA is not an option. Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. Kendrick was black, the Bell brothers are white. It all started with a fight on a school bus, more than a year before Johnsons death. Johnson's family and their attorneys, however, contend both Bell brothers were on campus when Johnson was last seen alive. kw: 'mandc,racism', Deputy Constable Eakin pursued him and a scuffle ensued, at which time he was shot in the neck. Log in to see their photos and videos. 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. He was just 17 years old. Touchton says she thinks King is referring to school surveillance footage that the Johnson family alleges was altered. Brian Bells Instagram (Photo: Instagram). Sheriff Paulk from Lowndes County has reopened the Kendrick Johnson case. Hall said the agents told him, We have more on you than we have on Brian. Police failed to execute a search warrant signed by a judge to test the bouncer for drugs and alcohol; even after he admitted to being under the influence and they still didn't do it. Quarterback Jameis Winston was allowed to play football and win a national championship, plus a Heisman Trophy while accused, but never charged, of sexual assault. 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. Upon arrival, it was determined that there were two females dead inside the business. Privacy Policy Eakin said it didnt take long to figure out that prosecutors believed she had slept with KJ, which she denies, and that the purported ambush was payback. But the line of questioning was intense. . The search warrants for the Bells residence in the Jacksonville, Fla., area; the Eakins residence in Valdosta and Taylor Eakins dorm room specified the agents were looking for the transmission of any information about witnesses and the grand jury investigation into the death of Johnson. Last month, federal authorities. Rev. He has known the owners for years, and worked with the bouncer since he started his job at Nowhere. Johnson played football as a freshman at Lowndes in 2011. https://t.co/BlYQlKVzKl https://t.co/16yxY9cL8y, Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 6, 2020. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; In addition, the results of a second official autopsy, conducted by Marylands Chief Medical Examiner David Fowler, also remain under wraps. This case is so intriguingthat it has caught national and international attention on forums such as being featured on Netflix Unsolved Mysteriesalong with Crime Junkie Podcastand many other nationaland international outlets;reaching the audience of millionsand raising the eyebrows of many along the way. Brian Bell eventually landed a football scholarship at the University of Akron, a Division I school in northern Ohio. 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. In a YouTube video posed Jan. 14, 2013, Eddie Tooley, KJs grandfather, discussed the familys suspicions, saying, They heard this had something to do with a GBI agents son who had an altercation on the bus some time ago.. in 2013 is HORRIFIC, yet his killer was never held accountable. !, the petition states. Neither Moore nor the federal prosecutor in Ohio would comment on the case. The law doesnt require them to say, Its over, Ferguson, Brian Bells lawyer, said. Again, a major conflict of interest. aid: '670899', State and local officials ruled Johnson suffocated after reaching for a pair of sneakers inside a mat and getting stuck,theGriopreviously reported. Randell Meyers death was the most unexpected crime they never saw coming. But in the end, the truth will prevail and everybody will find me and my brother are innocent and have always been innocent. "Are there other injustices around here? Please sign in hopes the Fort Payne Police Department will take swift action in getting this killer off the street! Johnson's family and their attorneys, however, contend both Bell brothers were on campus when Johnson was last seen alive. It definitely raises an eyebrow because that is now home for Brian Bell, Marcus Coleman, a spokesman for Kendricks parents, said of the transfer of the case to Ohio. In 2010, a pregnant woman and her unborn baby were killed while in his home. Stephanie Slifer covers crime and justice for CBSNews.com. How could I be in two places at once?. Witnesses and surveillance footage place the brothers away from the old gymnasium at Lowndes High where, on Jan. 10, 2013, Kendrick was last seen alive. "Yesterday [Tuesday] at 3:30 am, the Bell family was awakened at their home by government agents, executing search warrants in a federal Grand Jury investigation about the death of Kendrick Johnson which is almost 2 years old - a case in which no one has been indicted and in which there is no evidence to implicate involvement of the Bells or any member of the Bell family. Touchton, who is white, reviewed case files and conducted interviews with students and medical personnel and law enforcement to look for evidence of murder and a cover-up. Police failed to collect all surveillance footage from the owners; in the police files, there is a write-up that they tried to contact the owners multiple times and none of the video surveillance was ever turned over. A year earlier, Brian Bell signed a letter of intent to play football at Florida State University. A $100 million wrongful death suit filed by Johnson's family earlier this year alleges the brothers - who were schoolmates of Johnson - were encouraged by their FBI agent father to "violently assault" Johnson, leading to his death. Bell was in. The FBI will not publicly confirm that its no longer investigating Bell. He blames Moore, the U.S. attorney, for allowing the case to drag on and says several black leaders in the community have backed away from support of the Johnsons. Wouldnt it be something that we are two years into this (investigation) and all that we get out of this are some allegations of witness tampering or witnesses may have had conversations with the Bells related to grand jury testimony. Florida State has been accused in recent years of allowing its football program to act as a sort of private fiefdom. This case was swept to the side from day 1 and I BELIEVE it was a cover-up by LMPD. 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. For updates on the case, please FOLLOW US on Twitter and Facebook with #justiceforellen Paulk said information about the case will not be disclosed until it is closed again. at 2. } 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.