VALDOSTA — In an article published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, written by Christian Boone, it is obvious the strain the Kendrick Johnson controversy has had on Valdosta in creating a deep divide in the community, as seen from this outside report.
The article (read more HERE) discusses the effects a delay in providing a conclusion to the investigation by US Attorney Michael Moore has had. The delay has supported, on the side of those looking to find a murder occurred, support that a cover up exists. On the side of those believing the facts presented so far, the delay has created a great deal of frustration, or worse.
Moore declined comment to Boone as noted in the story except to say the investigation “has proven more complicated” and taken longer than anticipated. But, according to Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for the Johnsons, the prosecutor told the family he is convinced Kendrick didn’t die accidentally.
“They’re investigating it as a homicide,” Crump told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last month.
On the other side, the side of those who believe the posted results of investigations by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s office, GBI, and other officials involved in the case, many are concerned the prosecutor is determined to file charges regardless of the evidence, which is causing the delay.
“He’s looked every under rock, and there’s nothing there,” Chris Beckham of The Morning Drive said in the article. “I blame him [Moore] for a lot of what’s gone on.”
The alibis of the primary targets of the Federal investigation, Brian Bell, his brother Branden and their father, were confirmed by the Lowndes sheriff, and subsequent testimony placed Branden Bell on a school bus headed to a wrestling tournament in Macon at the time Johnson was last seen, while surveillance cameras showed Brian Bell was in class, across campus.
Despite the evidence produced to date, the Johnsons’ lawsuit alleges a massive cover-up by the Lowndes sheriff, the GBI, the state medical examiner’s office and school officials.
“It’s just not logical,” Beckham said. “For all those people to be involved, and to keep that a secret for two years … I just don’t buy it.”
The article was posted online Monday.
