Feds say evidence in Shanquella Robinson case doesn’t support federal prosecution

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Wednesday they don’t have enough evidence available to prosecute anyone in the Shanquella Robinson case.

The family of Robinson, who was killed while on vacation in Mexico, plans to speak out again Wednesday afternoon.

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Federal authorities met with Robinson’s family Wednesday to offer condolences and present their findings. The family had previously called on the state department and White House to intervene and planned to rally next month if that didn’t happen.

Attorneys, family ask for federal help again in Shanquella Robinson case

Robinson was killed nearly six months ago in Cabo. The people she traveled to Mexico with said Robinson died of alcohol poisoning. However, an autopsy revealed that it was “severe spinal cord injury and atlas luxation.”

Mexican authorities filed an arrest warrant but there have been no arrests.

The FBI and prosecutors have made the case a priority, and have conducted a detailed investigation into the available evidence, they said. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office also conducted an autopsy.

Shanquella Robinson's family arrives at the FBI's Charlotte office on April 12, 2023.
Shanquella Robinson's family arrives at the FBI's Charlotte office on April 12, 2023.

“As in every case under consideration for federal prosecution, the government must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a federal crime was committed,” federal prosecutors said in a news release. “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.”

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Prosecutors said they don’t normally share statements in cases like this but are doing so because of how public the case is.

“It is important to reassure the public that experienced federal agents and seasoned prosecutors extensively reviewed the available evidence and have concluded that federal charges cannot be pursued,” the release concludes.

It is not clear yet how the decision affects the arrest warrant that was issued by Mexican authorities.

Civil rights attorney Sue-Ann Robinson will join Robinson’s family to speak at 1:30 p.m. at a church in Charlotte.

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