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Following the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s ruling that Anthony Johnson, Jr.’s death was a homicide by asphyxiation, his family publicly expressed their anguish for the first time.
During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Johnson’s mother, Jacqualyne, remarked, “The ME’s report was exactly what we thought it was going to be.” She described the report as validating but also re-traumatizing for the family.
“I not only got to birth my son, but I also got to see him die,” Jacqualyne shared.
Despite the pain, the family is hopeful about the next steps. Family attorney Daryl Washington revealed that after meeting with the Tarrant County District Attorney, he is ‘confident’ that criminal charges will be brought against at least two individuals involved in Johnson’s death by the end of the month. However, the DA’s office declined to comment on pending investigations.
In response to the ME’s report, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn’s office issued a statement attributing the finding of chemical asphyxiation to the use of OC spray and the presence of methamphetamine as contributing factors.
However, Jacqualyne vehemently refuted this explanation, asserting, “He is dead. He’s paid for his sins. All this about the meth being a possibility, no. It was the pepper spray. It was the knee on his back.”
While acknowledging the progress in the justice process, Waybourn’s office emphasized that the case remains open and under investigation by the Texas Rangers and TCSO Internal Affairs.
Regarding the individuals involved, no criminal charges have been filed thus far. However, Waybourn placed Officer Rafael Moreno and Lt. Joe Garcia on paid administrative leave over Johnson’s death. Garcia’s attorney, Randy Moore, expressed concern about his client’s right to a fair trial amidst media scrutiny.
Addressing the broader issue, Washington emphasized the need for accountability for all individuals present during Johnson’s final moments. Johnson’s father, Anthony Johnson Sr., echoed this sentiment, urging for accountability for those who stood by without intervening.
In response to queries about additional penalties for other individuals, Waybourn stated that they would wait for the Texas Rangers’ investigation to conclude before taking further action.
The Johnson family reiterated their demand for the full incident video’s release. However, Waybourn stated his refusal to release the video to the public, citing office standards.
Furthermore, calls for Waybourn’s resignation have surfaced, prompted by concerns about the jail’s management and over 60 deaths under his watch. Waybourn dismissed these calls as political theater and defended the jail’s record, emphasizing the context behind the deaths.
In response to these concerns, Congressman Marc Veasey has called for a federal investigation into the jail deaths, echoing the Johnsons’ plea for lasting change.
“Parents are not supposed to bury their children, and they don’t want this to happen to anybody else,” Washington emphasized.