Kendrick Johnson’s Family Ordered To Pay Legal Fees
Just when you think you couldn’t be more disgusted with our justice system…
A judge has ordered the family of Kendrick Johnson to pay up to $850,000 in attorneys fees associated with their $100 million lawsuit that claimed dozens of defendants were complicit in the teen’s 2013 death.
Kendrick Johnson: U.S. Justice Department Says Not Enough Evidence To File Federal Charges in 17-Year-Old’s Death
Via Valdosta Daily Times:
“I have concluded that the motions should be granted and that some amount would be awarded in each motion,” Judge Richard Porter stated in an email sent to all parties involved Thursday, Aug. 18.
The motion sides with attorneys seeking to reclaim fees after the Johnson family and their attorney, Chevene King, withdrew a lawsuit. Johnson’s parents sued various school, city and county leaders alleging they were complicit in the death of their son.
The family dropped the $100 million lawsuit in March. Several court hearings followed resulting in Porter’s decision Thursday. King said in an interview several months ago that the Johnsons plan to refile the lawsuit. King was not immediately available for comment Thursday.
While attorneys are seeking more than $850,000 in fees, the judge has not set an award amount, according to the email. The hearings will resume 9 a.m. Monday at the Lowndes County Courthouse to determine the amounts.
“The Lowndes County School System defendants are pleased with today’s ruling in the superior court of Lowndes County granting their motion for attorney’s fee in the three cases filed by the Johnsons against them,” said Warren Turner, attorney for the Lowndes County school system. “Any further comment will be reserved pending the outcome of the hearing to determine the specific amount of attorney fees award.”
Kendrick Johnson’s body was found upside down in a vertically stored gym mat at Lowndes High School in January 2013. A state autopsy ruled the 17-year-old’s death accidental. The Johnson family insists their son died of foul play.
In June, the U.S. Attorney’s Office concluded a nearly three-year investigation into his death, finding “insufficient evidence” to charge anyone in the death or to continue the investigation.
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