After 13 years of family members and supporters calling for a re-investigation, the Santa Clara County DA’s office asked Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Michelle Jorden to re-examine the 2008-09 investigation.
The reviewed materials included: the autopsy report and complete file and toxicology report, autopsy photographs, the investigation reports, SJSU police reports and five CD discs, according to the re-examination report.
Jorden stated in the report that a re-enactment of the scene of his death was also performed on Aug. 17.
Jorden’s findings were consistent with those of the late Dr. Glenn Nazareno, the forensic pathologist who first conducted Gregory Johnson’s autopsy and ruled the cause of death suicide by hanging.
Gregory Johnson’s family said in a 2015 federal civil rights complaint it wasn’t possible for him to hang himself “as a 6-foot-2-inch man in a basement less than 6 feet high,” according to a Friday Mercury News article.
Jorden said the 2008-09 investigation and re-enactment of the scene confirms Gregory Johnson was capable of suicidal hanging based on his weight and height.
Jorden stated in the Nov. 2 report that suicide hangings can occur as complete or incomplete suspension. She concluded Gregory Johnson died of an incomplete hanging.
“In this case, the hanging occurred as an incomplete suspension based on the height of Mr. Johnson, scene measurements and initial Medical Examiner-Coroner investigative report in November 2008 which captured the original position of the body when found,” she stated in the report.
While Gregory Johnson’s family members said they don’t believe he killed himself, Jorden stated in the report that “not all suicides have notes present at the scene.”
She stated possible reasons for his suicide from the investigative reports into his death include negative “childhood experiences and financial issues.”
Gregory Johnson supporters have asked the county coroner’s office and SJSU to reopen the investigation through an increase in protests in the past year.
Multiple protests occurred in support of Gregory Johnson including a demonstration at SJSU President Mary Papazian’s house on April 11 and another at the Sigma Chi fraternity house on Aug. 30 where protesters alleged a cover up regarding his cause of death.
Gregory Johnson’s family also filed a letter on March 2, 2010 to the U.S. Senate, in which Denise Johnson expressed concerns regarding head trauma she observed on her son.
Jorden stated the “autopsy report and photographs do not document evidence of head trauma or a neck fracture.”
The Nov. 2 report included the head trauma documented by Denise Johnson in 2010 “may represent changes from the autopsy exam and/or funeral home preparation.”
Autopsy examinations in Santa Clara County include analyzing the brain and incisions to the scalp and skull that can create visual and feelable abnormalities, according to the report.
In a Friday Instagram statement, the “Justice for Gregory Johnson” campaign account shared a post that they don’t believe “a real investigation has taken place,” and have conducted an “independent investigation.”
Kenneth Mashinchi, SJSU senior director of strategic communications and media relations said unless new evidence surfaces, “this is an unfortunate loss of a young man’s life [because of] circumstances we will never fully know.”
Mashinchi said the university acknowledges that the pain from Gregory Johnson’s death will never go away but “[the university] hope[s] this is an important step that will help diminish pain brought on by speculation and accusations.”
Yep said as someone who has been involved in the campaign’s efforts, she will continue to support the family.
“I believe that the institutions involved have shown a complete lack of transparency and respect for Gregory Johnson’s family above all else,” she said.
