By RUSS BYNUM
Associated Press
SAVANNAH, Ga. - The parents of a south Georgia teenager found in dead his school gymnasium are asking federal authorities to investigate after a new autopsy concluded the boy died from a blow to the neck.
Lowndes County sheriff's detectives closed their investigation months ago into the death of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson, whose body was found Jan. 11 upside down inside a rolled up wrestling mat. Detectives and a state medical examiner concluded Johnson died accidentally after he fell inside the mat, got stuck and was unable to breathe.
Johnson's parents had a new autopsy performed by a private pathologist, who concluded last month Johnson died from blunt trauma to his neck near the carotid artery.
Attorney Chevene King said today the teenager's parents want the Justice Department to reopen the case.