North Carolina Police Authorities Must Conduct Full Investigation into Death of Javion Magee
I like to extend my deepest condolences to the Magee family for the unexpected and heart-breaking loss of Javion Magee.
Javion was a graduate of Longview High School in east Texas who worked as a delivery truck driver. On September 11, it was reported that Javion was found dead by a tree in Vance County.
I acknowledge that reports state Javion was found in a seated position near the base of a medium-sized tree with a rope wrapped around his neck. I further acknowledge the other end of the rope was attached to the tree.
Although the Vance County Sheriff’s Office claims there was no foul play — pointing to evidence that Javion purchased rope from a store — we must be mindful that a purchase of rope is not always indicative that a person used it to end their life.
An important fact of this case is that Javion was a truck driver. It is not outside the realm of possibility for a truck driver to use rope in their vocation. In consideration of this fact, let us all take into account the family’s perceptions, rationale and search for truth. For instance, civil rights attorney, Harry Daniels, stated what they learned from investigators “doesn’t support the notion that Magee died by suicide.” Mr. Daniels further stated, “anybody stating it was a suicide, would be grossly premature.”
Past Lynchings in the United States
In 1993, an African American named Christopher Wilson was kidnapped and set on fire in Florida. Then in 1998, James Byrd Jr., was dragged to death behind a car in Jasper, Texas, until his head hit a culvert.
In 2011, James Craig Anderson was beaten and run over with a truck in Mississippi. Nearly ten years later, Ahmaud Arbery was chased down and shot in Georgia.
Right to Truth
It cannot be denied that the Magee family has a right to truth. This right is enshrined in international human rights law. For example, Principle 4 of the Orentlicher Principles state, irrespective of any legal proceedings, victims and their families have the imprescriptible right to know the truth about the circumstances in which violations took place and — in the event of death — the victims’ fate.
I stand in solidarity with the Magee family and call for a deeper investigation into the events that led up to Javion’s untimely death.