DALLAS, TEXAS – Civil rights activist Dr. Candice Matthews held a press conference outside the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center on Wednesday, raising concerns about the investigation and court proceedings involving Kayden Johnson, a 13-year-old boy accused of aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child in connection with allegations at Life Time Fitness.

Dr. Matthews was joined by Johnson’s parents, Fawn and Thomas Johnson, the family’s attorney and a representative of the Grand Prairie NAACP.

According to Dr. Matthews, Johnson was 12 when the allegations surfaced earlier this year. She alleged that he was taken into custody before investigators completed their investigation, which she said occurred approximately three months later.

A central concern raised during the press conference involved surveillance footage from Life Time Fitness that Dr. Matthews claimed could help establish Johnson’s innocence.

Dr. Matthews presented a timeline alleging that prosecutors initially documented that no video evidence existed on May 26. She said the state subpoenaed video records June 1 and that Life Time notified prosecutors June 24 that footage had been preserved and was available.

According to Dr. Matthews, defense attorneys learned of the footage shortly before a scheduled July trial and filed an emergency motion for a continuance, which was granted July 20.

Dr. Matthews accused prosecutors of possible evidence disclosure violations, citing the Michael Morton Act and constitutional requirements established under Brady v. Maryland.

Johnson’s mother, Fawn Johnson, claimed the surveillance footage showed her son was never near the girl who made the allegations. She also said the jury was shown still images rather than the complete video.

The case later proceeded to trial, ending in a mistrial Oct. 8.

Dr. Matthews alleged that jurors had unanimously found Johnson not guilty of aggravated sexual assault but remained divided on a separate indecency allegation. She questioned why the judge declared a mistrial and claimed the first jury question was omitted from the court transcript.

The reported jury findings and circumstances surrounding the mistrial have not been independently verified.

Dr. Matthews also raised allegations of judicial misconduct involving Judge Sheryl Lee Shannon and questioned the handling of court records. She announced plans to pursue judicial complaints and seek an investigation into the court reporter’s handling of the transcripts.

During the press conference, Dr. Matthews also discussed a civil lawsuit seeking approximately $1 million connected to the allegations. She questioned whether the lawsuit influenced the criminal proceedings, although no evidence establishing such a connection was independently verified.

The family’s attorney, Aaron J. Vuleman, confirmed that the trial ended in a mistrial and said the defense team would continue representing Johnson. He declined to discuss pending litigation in detail.

Fawn Johnson described the emotional and financial impact on her family, saying her son has been unable to return home since January and that she lost her job during the ordeal.

Dr. Angela Vaughn, president of the Grand Prairie NAACP, also attended the press conference and called for fairness and equal treatment in the juvenile justice system.

During questions from reporters, Fawn Johnson further alleged that the mother of the girl who made the accusations incorrectly identified her husband twice when asked to identify Kayden during court proceedings.

Dr. Matthews concluded by demanding that the charges against Johnson be dismissed and calling for continued public attention to the case.