The Case of Pfc. LaVena Johnson

I'm feeling this post by New Black Woman:

I've stumbled across this blog titled The Pfc. LaVena Johnson Petition. The blog is designed to bring attention to Army's refusal to re-open the case surrounding the death of Pfc. Johnson.

Here's a quick synopsis of what happened, according to an original blog entry on the petition's website:

An Army representative initially told LaVena's father, Dr. John Johnson, that his daughter died of "died of self-inflicted, non-combat injuries," but initially added that it was not a suicide. The subsequent Army investigation reversed this finding and declared LaVena's death a suicide, a finding refuted by the soldier's family. In an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Dr. Johnson pointed to indications that his daughter had endured a physical struggle before she died - two loose front teeth, a "busted lip" that had to be reconstructed by the funeral home - suggesting that "someone might have punched her in the mouth."

I must admit that I have not heard a peep about this tragic case. It sickens me that the Army would rule this young woman's death a suicide. It reminds me of the Army's attempts to cover up the death of former NFL player Pat Tillman. You remember, right (how can anyone not remember--it was on the news every night)? Well, it was later discovered that Tillman was killed by friendly fire.

We can not let this incident go unreported in the media. We bloggers must make sure that Pfc. Johnson's case stays alive and we must pressure our representatives to compel the Army to re-open the case. I urge you all to link this blog to yours and to spread the word about this injustice.
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Thanks, New Black Woman.