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A Foul Play? The Killing of Billy Joe Johnson in Mississippi?
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by AAPPundit | December 10, 2008 at 11:29 am
14299 views | 4 Recommendations | 87 comments
UPDATE: The Killing of Billy Joe Johnson in Mississippi 
You remember the story about Billy Joe Johnson, star running back for George County High, Mississippi, who died on a December morning in deep Mississippi alleged by a "self-inflicted" gunshot wound during a traffic stop. More HERE
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at 13:46 on December 16th, 2008
One does not need to be black to suspect foul play. Are we supposed to believe that a deputy would turn his back on a young black man with a shotgun on a rack, and go typing numbers into his computer without even looking up? Nevermind why, but HOW does one aim at himself with a 12 gauge shotgun, with the trigger at the far end of a long barrel? How does one fall down dead and still lays the shotgun on himself? So far there is just that one deputy's word, that's not good enough, cops lie and cover up.
at 10:19 on December 17th, 2008
Initially, foul play can never be ruled out of any death. I'm not saying this as a man of color, or a white man. That is why autopsies are required by law. That being said...No one said the deputy turned his back on anyone. It is quite plausible that while the deputy was running Johnson (don't know if they have MDT's or if it was over radio), he was looking down at the ID, or writing a summons or warning. That is never mentioned. Contrary to popular belief and all 'best' safety practices, cops do not always keep an eye on an individual. Especially if it is someone they know, and know well, like this young man, who is apparently widely known and liked for his manners, as well as his athletic abilities...
Unfortunately, race cannot ever be immediately ruled out. He was black. He was dating a girl of another color. There are people still in this country who believe that should never happen. Guess what? It does. Many fine people are born out of it. Fact of life, learn to live with it.
As for the shotgun...
A shotgun, by definition does not require careful aiming, nor does it take feats of superhuman strength, agility, nor skill to operate. Anyone with 'normal' sized limbs could press the trigger while the business end was pointed back at them. (as well as accidentally discharging while manipulating a loaded weapon) Unfortunately, it happens all the time. I read on another blogging that people were saying it was near impossible for someone to commit suicide with a shotgun. To them, or any other doubters, I say "do some simple searches and see just how common this is! While not the most recent, certianly Kurt Cobain would be an example. Not only did he manage to pull/press the trigger, he did it stoned out of his mind!
An extra note: If one were to shoot oneself in the head while seated in the front seat, door ajar. If the Shotgun was on the right side when the trigger was pulled, it would not be out of the realm of possibilities that the body slumped out the door and the shotgun was pulled out along with it (presuming of course, that the victim's finger was still in the trigger-guard). This would reflect simple physics like inertia and gravity (I presume that they still have that in Ms), not necessarily a cover-up.
Bottom line? A whole lot of "if's", a whole lot of questions, a world of possibilities. Let the authorities do their investigation (my understanding is that it has been taken out of the hands of the locals, to preclude any possible accusations of a cover-up). Then, if after all the information is processed and studied, we can make informed decisions about what actually took place.
My sympathies to the family and community on your loss of such a fine young man.
at 15:26 on December 17th, 2008
Ok, RK_outthere. Please shut up. You sound like you covering up for the cops. I doubt a kid with a future that bright and no problems would kill himself. And its as simple as this: there is no way a black guy pulled over by a white cop in a extremely racist state has the time to get a shotgun out, strech it out to put to his head and shoot himself without the officer seeing anything. And to finish this off, how the hell is a right handed boy going to shoot himself on the left side of his head and fall out the car the same way. It doesn't take a rocket scientists to reaklize this. There are still alot of people with high authority that are outraged by Obama. Even tho this is pretty old news, we cant rule anything out but that cop better get what he deserve.....
at 08:49 on December 18th, 2008
this boy did have a bright future ahead of him. However, he also had a temper. None of the articles mention that his former girlfriends mom had a restraining order issued for him to keep him away from her daughter. It also doesn't mention that he had just left that home and the police had been called. So before everyone voices thier opinion of the situation, maybe they should get all the facts and not just immediately jump to conclusions.
at 12:07 on December 19th, 2008
MS.IRRITATED A YOUNG BOY IS DEAD IT DONT MATTER ABOUT THE OUT STUFF THAT WENT ON THE SCHOOL THOUGHT HE WAS GREAT AND HIS FAMILY YOU MUST BE WHITE GET A LIFE NOW!!!!
at 08:59 on January 23rd, 2009
i'm white and it still sounds pretty fishy to me. your the type of rasist person that cant get past racial difference. i would vote against suicide on this case and it is prob somethin racial, but comments like you must be white just fuel the fire. we have a black president. quit acting so repressed. there is a united negro college fund, not a united white man college fund. grow up. not all white people are racist. i'm irish, my great ansesters were slaves to
at 18:06 on January 3rd, 2009
ok first of all you dont even no him so i think you should get YOUR facts straight.
at 07:53 on January 10th, 2009
ms. irritated what in the hell does his temper have to do with someone killing you, it was not self defense. he was killed because someone did not approve of his relationship with that white girl. it doesn't matter rather you have a temper or not you deserve to live. so you really sound someone un-intelligent,(stupid) when you say stuff like that.
at 00:50 on January 14th, 2009
an officer of the law is suppose to serve and protect the public . it should matter what race a person is ,every human deserves to be treated as such regardless of race.
at 13:44 on February 2nd, 2009
this boy did have a bright future ahead of him. However, he also had a temper. None of the articles mention that his former girlfriends mom had a restraining order issued for him to keep him away from her daughter. It also doesn't mention that he had just left that home and the police had been called. So before everyone voices thier opinion of the situation, maybe they should get all the facts and not just immediately jump to conclusions.
There was no restraining order, just another of the lies. And as to the "former" girlfriend, she has up on her myspace page a statement about how she still loves Billey Joe.
You need to get your facts straight.
at 09:42 on February 8th, 2009
THAT'S HOW MUCH YOU KNOW ....THE STORY DOES REPORT THE MOTHER CALLING THE POLICE AND RESRATNING ORDER. BUT WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY AFRO AMERICAN MEN CONTINUE TO KEEP DEALING WITH THOSE WHIE STHANKS..AND IS IT WORTH YOUR LIFE!!!!!
at 13:26 on December 25th, 2008
I hate it when someone feels that Mississippi is a hate state. Look around people other at states north, west, east are just as bad or worse. There are more to the problem with the kid than meets the eye. Just in Wayne County we have three black boys that had a very good chance at college with any of their choice. They chose drugs and being a thief to progress their habits. Now these three is spending time in jail because of their choices in life. So just because the kids have a good shot at stardom with sports don't mean they won't do some dumb headed stunt to ruin their futures. Think about it. I'm not saying that the cop did or didnot do foul play. Just don't judge us for what happened 100 years ago.
at 18:11 on January 3rd, 2009
Harold Clark Shut up Omg billey wasnt on drugs so you can shut up and you dont know him so how can you know weather he would have done it or not .....i know him and i know that he would never do that so know what you talkin bout b4 you talk.
at 11:21 on January 20th, 2009
Well "Jay B", at least RK_outthere can spell correctly. He also didn't attack anyone, nor cover up for the cops. If you didn't seem so biased yourself, maybe you would partake in a ride-along program many departments offer. You would get to see what cops (both good and bad) do in a shift. You might also realize that it is impossible to operate all of the equipment in a patrol car without taking your eyes off a subject. Yes, even long enough to pull out a shotgun and use it. I would agree it would be difficult, if not impossible to for a person in the drivers seat to shoot oneself on the left side of the head using a shotgun.
at 18:01 on February 2nd, 2009
It's obvious from reading these comments that no one has a clue. Everyone in Lucedale Ms. carries shotguns in gun racks in their trucks (White and Black). Billey Joe did not live with his parents, he lived with his coach. Everyone including Billey Joe's best friends knew he had a temper. Most of his friends were white. He hunted on a regular basis and was wearing hunting clothes when the incident occured. He had been suspended from football for a short while because of abuse toward his girlfriend and threatening her life long before this incident occured, He did break into her mobile home that morning. He did say that if she left him, he was going to kill her or kill himself. The cop that pulled him over that morning was new and didn't have a clue who Billey Joe was. I also do know the results of the investigation and when they come out all of this will be over. I have heard loads of rumours from the black community saying that 2 cops turned themselves in and numerous other lies. If this had been a white boy and a black cop there would have been no question even if they had pictures of the black cop shooting the white kid in the head. The NAACP would convince everyone that the white media had doctored the photo to get rid of the black cop and everyone would believe it. Just like they believe George Bush caused hurricane Katrina. This is very sad, but typical. All I can say is keep up with the story and read all the facts when they come out.
at 13:51 on February 6th, 2009
I can say this, when you're 17, problems seem to be magnified. I remember times when I wanted to roll over and die. I laugh about most of these thing now. I will never rule out suicide; no matter how unlikely it may seem. I do, however think that the cop should have to answer for not following protocol. It amazes me to see people like you who think of us (blacks) sort of like The Borgue. One conscience, one thought, one set of morals and belief system. You are sadly mistaken. I was embarrassed at the Jena 6 happenings, totally against protest. Was appalled at the protests subsequent to the Jaspser, TX dragging death. Those cops did some of the finest police work I've seen and there was still protest. People like you have people have people like me at a disadvantage. You feel a certain way about my whole race. I don't have that luxury. I have met too many wonderful and diverse white people to have a chip on my shoulder. So I guess you win. In closing the two largest fictional characters "The Man" for us and "The Liberal Media" for you guys need to be replaced by facts, self accountability, and unilateral empathy and mutual respect.
at 10:07 on April 9th, 2009
Big Al- by far that was the most intelligent post on this site. And for the guy that claims that Mississippi is a normal state like any other, so wrong! its an ass backwards place; still suffering from deep wounds, (trauma) and effects of the distant and near past. In the words of Nina Simone, : "mississippi goddamn!!" cant stand that fuckin place.
at 14:08 on February 6th, 2009
Just wanted to point something out. If this had been a case of a black cop and a white boy, there is no doubt that they probably would have lynched the black cop, both literllay and figuratively. And no one believes that George Bush caused hurricane Katrina; it was a natural disaster with a poor reponse from Pres. Bush that followed. Thanks and have a great day!
at 10:30 on February 28th, 2009
What a crock of crap!
at 08:16 on December 18th, 2008
Why is everything race??? You and I were not there, so I or you have no idea what accured....don't speculate!!!!!
at 08:00 on January 10th, 2009
We are not speculating mr.al brinson facts and common sense, tells the story. THINK ABOUT IT!
at 05:42 on December 19th, 2008
Im a 18 year old black female who is taking gun lesson. Im 5.9, 153lbs. n in have 2 say that the only time I ever heard of anyone killing themself with a shotgun was when the person was seating in a chair and shot himself. Still the gun didnt lay on his body after that. So when I first read this story
at 12:40 on December 17th, 2008
I thought every cop car was equpped with a video camera now days? Or at least audio.
Seems fishy to me.
On top of this the Detroit Lions could have had a great running back 4-5 years down the road !
Rats !
at 15:59 on December 17th, 2008
I have never posted a comment before, but immediately this situation looks wrong to me...nothing about it makes sense. The officers comment/description, why the kid would have a shotgun (most kids looking forward to all the things he did wouldn't risk something this ridiculous), and why would he kill himself? and why would he be out of the car oringinally? With a regular traffic stop you stay in the car and the officer says stay put...and why would the officer turn his back if the kids wasn't in the car? this just screams not right to me...
at 19:24 on December 17th, 2008
Rk outthere...just to update the information. A small gunshot wound was found behind his left ear. Doesn't really add up.
at 19:37 on December 17th, 2008
Wow.... what can be said about this case. This young fella wow what can be said. May God bless his family with peace and the ability to forgive "if" it is determine that foul play is the case. As mentioned before... this kid had everything going on for himself and sucide was NOT and option more so, I find that fact that they found a entry point on the left-side behind his ear to be suspect. So againmay Gd forgive.
Ragtube
at 00:10 on December 18th, 2008
I've been shooting shotguns most of my life. I started at 8 years with a single-shot breach loading 20-gauge and graduated to a 12-gauge when I was about 21 years old. I'm female and thin, so the 12 is almost too much for my shoulder.
The recoil on my Mossberg (12) is substantial for me, but I only weigh about 120lbs.
My questions would be things like, **how do you shoot yourself behind the left ear with a shotgun on purpose, **how do you accidentally shoot yourself behind the left ear, fall, and have the shotgun land on your chest, and **how do you shoot yourself with a shotgun and have a "small entry wound" (as quoted by the lawyer for the young man's father). **Also, the young man was right-handed.
My father and I have tried to reenact the scenario, and can't quite figure out how he ended up with the gun on his chest while he's on his back, in the case of an accidental discharge. This sounds like a case for Columbo, Ironside, or Monk.
In my experience, even a slug in a rifled barrel creates a fairly large entry hole. The young man was a hunter, and his father said that he usually used buckshot. That would have taken his whole head off or most of it.
I've lived in the South for a good deal of my life, and it's perfectly legal to carry a shotgun in your car in several states. I lived in Mississippi for a few years and found it to be a very pleasant place to live. I found it to be much less racist that other Southern states. Then again, I'm white, so...
It looks like the information is either really wrong and/or misleading, or the autopsy will be very, very interesting, and one unusual case for the record books.
Blessings and prayers on the family, in this terrible time.
at 12:00 on December 18th, 2008
you dont know what you talkin bout
at 18:23 on February 2nd, 2009
Picture him opening the door. Placing the butt of the gun on the ground. Putting the barrel against his head then pulling the trigger. Try that scenario, it works. This also answers the recoil issue and the small entry wound. Can you picture the cop getting Billey's shotgun and saying stick your head out here so I can stick the gun barrel under your left ear and aim it so the bullet goes through the right top of your head and into the top of the truck. Think of the angle of that shot and how stupid it sounds for the cop to have been able to do this. Also, when the barrel is placed directly against the head (especially with a slug), it does make a small entry wound and would not blow his head off. BTW, I apologize to the black community for not being able to blame the white community for this. If you check, you will find the vast majority of murders in america are black on black and next is black on white. It's a shame no one worries about this. There have been 2 white girls killed in Lucedale recently by black men and one white father killed in Moss Point who stopped to ask directions to the football stadium, where was the NAACP for those murders? All they care about is stirring the pot. They could care less about justice.
at 20:45 on May 27th, 2009
YOU SOUND REAL RACIST BRO! WHY THE HELL WOULD SOMEBODY STICK A SHOTGUN BUTT ON THE GROUND AND THEN SHOOT HIMSELF? THATS IDIOT THINKING RIGHT THERE! SO FOR U TO SAY THAT... IT LOOKS LIKE THE SHOE FITS. YEA THERES BLACK PEOPLE WHO DO STUPID ISHT, BUT NOT LIKE SOME WHITE PEOPLE. BLACK PEOPLE AINT STARTIN CULTS. BLK PEOPLE AINT BEING FATHERS OF THE CLERGY MOLESTIN LITTLE KIDS. BLK PEOPLE AINT TAKIN GUNS TO SCHOOL TO KILL A BUNCH OF RANDOM PEOPLE. BLK PEOPLE DONT IMPERSONATE POLICE TO PULL A CHICK OVER AND RAPE HER. WHAT ARE U TALKIN ABOUT! ME PESONALLY I DONT DISLIKE WHITE PEOPLE. A LOT OF MY FRIENDS ARE WHT. I JUST DONT LIKE IDIOTS LIKE U!!!