Death of High School Star Ruled an Accident

For now, the first chapter in the mysterious death of Billey Joe Johnson is closed, with a grand jury ruling it an accident. Johnson, 17, a junior at George County High School, in Lucedale, Miss., died Dec. 8, 2008, of a wound to the head after being pulled over by a deputy for running a red light.

An initial investigation ruled that the shotgun blast was self-inflicted but questions remained about how this promising young football player died. According to the grand jury, there was no forensic evidence, including DNA, that indicated that the deputy who pulled Johnson over fired the gun. In fact, the report says, "The grand jury finds ... that Deputy Joe Sullivan was in his patrol car at the time of Billey Joe Johnson, Jr.'s death."

The document stated that Johnson's hands tested positive for gunpowder residue and that there were no other injuries on his body. Therefore, the grand jury found that there were no other people involved in the shooting. But the report does not sit well with Johnson's mother, Annette. "I ain't buying that," she said of the grand jury's conclusion. "We are going further and we are going higher."

Who can blame her? The loss of a child is unimaginable, often described as the greatest pain by those who have suffered the loss. So, it makes sense that Annette Johnson would not want to accept that her son, whether accidentally or intentionally, took his own life. The grand jury ruling will by no means be the end of this case.

Johnson family attorney Jerome Carter has said his independent investigation of the case will continue. The NAACP said it would submit its evidence to the Justice Department and ask for a federal probe. Tragically, no matter what happens from here, another promising young brother has died under suspicious causes.

Sports Deaths in 2008

Dec. 8: High school football star Billey Joe Johnson dies after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Rivals.com

Ted Rogers, Dec. 2: Rogers, the founder of Canada's largest cable company and the owner of the Toronto Blue Jays since 2000, dies in his home at the age of 75.

Adrian Wyld, The Canadian Press / AP

Pit Martin, Dec. 2: The 64-year-old four-time NHL All-Star dies after his snowmobile plunges into an icy lake near his home in Quebec.

Steve Babineau, Getty Images / NHLI

Armand Guidolin, Nov. 24: He was the youngest player to ever play in the NHL and went on to coach Boston and Colorado.

Will Barrow, Nov. 22: The rising lacrosse star was only 22 years old. A cause of death has yet to be released.

Jim Rogash, Getty Images

Bob Jeter, Nov. 20: The NFL cornerback, seen here late in his career with the Bears, started in Super Bowls I and II for the Packers.

NFL

Pete Newell, Nov. 17: The Hall of Fame basketball coach led California to a national championship in 1959 and the United States to Olympic gold in 1960.

Dino Vournas, AP

Herb Score, Nov. 11: The Indians pitcher was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1955 and found a second career on the team's radio broadcast team from 1968 to 1997.

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Preacher Roe, Nov. 9: The pitcher went 127-84 in a 12-year career with Brooklyn, Pittsburgh and St. Louis, but it was with the Dodgers that he enjoyed his greatest success and acclaim.

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G. Larry James, Nov. 6: The track & field star from Villanova won two medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics. "The Mighty Burner" scored gold as a member of the U.S. 4x400 relay team and an individual silver in the 400 meters.

Ed Kolenovsky, AP