Billey Joe Johnson Death Gains Conspiratorial Steam as Family Hires Cochran Law Firm

I live in Mississippi, as a matter of fact the the very same town as this kid. This does not happen EVERYDAY in Mississippi. No more than it happens in the rest of the country. Racism is not anymore prevalent here than any where else. I'm sick of the label. The only reason this got any publicity is because he is a black kid from MS and that within itself made it a story.

If it had been a white kid and black officer the nation never would have heard about it.

Jayne,

You don't hear about incidents like this regarding black officers and white kids, because they don't happen. For one thing, if a black officer did try to do something to a white kid, we all know that that kid's parents would have that black officer's job, he'd be doing prison time in a heartbeat, and the police department would have no problem with throwing the officer under the bus. So why are white people getting upset that this kid's family is fighting back? It's a double-standard in America -- the Land of the Free -- if you are white.

And I agree with what anoyed [sic] said. The NAACP was originally created to help promote equality, but as an organization it has become corrupted by media-whoring and politics. But it doesn't change the fact that this kid died under suspicious circumstances which should be investigated independently of the local police department.

As a white woman whose seen this type of thing before... it is obvious that there was foul play. And if this were my child, I'd hire the best damm lawyers I could to go against the law enforcement agency who is trying to cover it up too! Call me greedy or whatever.. but I'd want those responsible for my child's death to pay dearly!!! WHATEVER IT TOOK!!! And if you can honestly say that you wouldn't.. then you don't love your children!

NAACP? Right. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for the AGGREVATION of CAUCASION PEOPLE. In a nutshell, that is it

Where in this story does ot say anything about the deputy being white?

I mean, I realize that the NAACP probably would not investigate if it had been a colored deputy, but I haven't seen anything to make me think the deputy was white other than a bunch of ignorent RACIST comments.

Also, since when is the NAACP qualified to rule on whether the cause of death was suicide or not? I always thought that was up to coroners and maybe Police or FBI agents.

I live in Louisiana and am an old white woman, and I'm here to tell you that if you wait until the investigation is over before you ask any questions, none will ever be asked. If there were any out of the ordinary circumstances involving a black man or boy, no one would ever know. They'd be not only swept under the rug but dumped in the nearest swamp forever.

its sad to see that a kids death is not important to you.

Hmmm...so if YOUR kid, who you believe is not a criminal, died by shotgun under suspicious circumstances by the police, you wouldn't want to sue? Would you consider it greed then? Would you not hire a lawyer (who, by the way, do employ PIs anyway)?

Scroll up, because you have proven the point I made before.

They want to know how their son died. Lawyers will be able to work within the framwork of the law to obtain all relevant documents related to their sons death. Just becaused the family hired a law firm doesn't mean they are looking for a payday. Your comment is insulting. If the boy in question was white and the officer was black, on one would have a problem with the family hiring a law firm. In fact, it would be expected. Racism is alive and well in this country so Blacks have a right to be suspicious when a Black boy dies and a White officer is involved. I'm not saying the officer is at fault but until the facts are known, it's possible.

Amen. Sounds like that to me too. Why hire lawyers and not a PI. Wonder what kind of pressure the kid had on him from the family

You are so igorant to make a statement like that. Put your self in that family shoes and see how you will feel, You stupid person, no amount of money in the world can compensate for the lost of a child, it is stupid people like you that think money can solve anything , I just hope and pray none of your love ones die mysterious, because you know what life and death is in the tongue and when you make stupid comments you better reconize this could be you, God help the stupid ones like you because you know not what you are saying

so not true.. you would have to know the family... that is not at all what they are looking for!!! I taught at that school for 5 years.. my family is from the area(i am white) and there needs to be an investigation and I do not believe he took his life nor will i believe it was an accident.. there is more that will come out.. Just pray for the family and keep the negative crap to your self!!!