The Justice Department announced that it will not pursue federal prosecution of anyone in connection with the death of Shanquella Robinson in Mexico last fall.
The DOJ officials said on Wednesday, April 12, that after investigating the young woman’s death, the evidence does not support prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“As in every case under consideration for federal prosecution, the government must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a federal crime was committed,” a statement from DOJ states. “Based on the results of the autopsy and after a careful deliberation and review of the investigative materials by both U.S. Attorneys Offices, federal prosecutors informed Ms. Robinson’s family today that the available evidence does not support a federal prosecution.”
The family and their legal team reject the DOJ’s decision, saying the U.S. authorities never treated the case with urgency and needed to be pushed before making it a priority.
“We’re witnessing the result of a delay, which is why there was always a concern, which is why I always say this is the people’s case,” attorney Sue-Ann Robinson said. “This is the people’s movement that said hey, there’s no reason why a Black woman should go on vacation with her friends, be returned to her family in a box.”
Robinson traveled with a group of six friends to Cabo, Mexico, in October 2022. While vacationing, the 25-year-old mysteriously died. Originally, her travel companions alleged the woman died as a result of alcohol poisoning. However, various stories surrounding what happened to Robinson were not consistent with the findings of the Mexican medical examiner.
According to an autopsy performed in Cabo after her demise, she did not die from an excess of alcohol but from “severe spinal cord injury and atlas luxation.” This, coupled with a video leaked on social media of Robinson being savagely beaten by one of the travelers, prompted the…
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