Georgia student found dead in rolled up gym mat; family seeking $10 billion
Earlier this week, a federal judge dismissed a $1 billion lawsuit filed by Kendrick Johnson’s family. Less than 24 hours later, his parents filed a civil rights complaint in federal court seeking $10 billion.
In January 2013, Johnson was found dead on a rolled up wrestling mat at Lowndes County High School. Investigators ruled his death an accident.
For more than 13 years, Johnson’s family held the belief that he was murdered.
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Jacquelyn and Kenneth Johnson filed a lawsuit in 2023 alleging a “conspiracy to violate their civil rights,” saying public records were withheld from them. After the case was rejected, the Georgian appeals court decided that the case should be re-examined in 2025.
On Monday, Judge Sarah Geraghty dismissed the case.
“The Court once again expresses its concern about the inconsistencies between the various official reports regarding KJ’s death and Plaintiffs’ claims. However, after careful consideration, the undersigned concludes that Plaintiffs’ claims cannot survive,” Geraghty wrote in the dismissal.
In response, his parents filed a new lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and federal judges Leigh Martin May and Sarah Geraghty.
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They say the court denied them their constitutional right to due process and conspired to cover up their son’s murder.
The lawsuit demands $10 billion with a jury trial and 10% interest.
“If the message isn’t clear enough, let me make it clear right now,” Kenneth Johnson said in a statement. “No matter who you are, no matter what position or influence you hold, if you choose to participate in the cover-up of my son Kendrick’s murder scandal, you do so at your own risk!”
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