MACON, Ga. -- The parents of a high school student found dead in a rolled-up gymnasium mat say they were disappointed in the decision not to seek federal criminal charges in the teen’s student.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Monday they found "insufficient evidence to support federal criminal charges" after an investigation into Kendrick Johnson's death.
Johnson was found dead inside of a wrestling mat at Valdosta High in January 2013.
Investigators in Valdosta ruled Johnson died of accidental asphyxiation when he got stuck in the mat while trying to retrieve a shoe. Johnson’s family believes he was murdered by schoolmates.
“We know something happened to Kendrick Johnson, we know he was murdered,” Jacqueline Johnson said.
On Monday, Kenneth and Jacqueline Johnson said federal prosecutors didn’t entirely rule out the possibility that Johnson’s death was a homicide, they simply concluded there was not enough evidence to prove it.
“They all but came out and said they know he was murdered, but there was nothing to be done about it,” Jacqueline Johnson said.
The Johnson family filed two civil suits against various parties in the case but withdrew them. They said on Monday that they intend on re-filing those suits.
Photos | Kendrick Johnson
