Former Georgia DA Jackie Johnson Faces Charges for Hindering Investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing
Former Georgia DA Jackie Johnson Faces Charges for Hindering Investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing

Former Georgia DA Jackie Johnson Faces Charges for Hindering Investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing

Former Georgia District Attorney Jackie Johnson is facing criminal charges for her involvement in the investigation of the 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was chased and fatally shot by three white men—Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan—on February 23, 2020. They mistakenly suspected Arbery of being a thief and pursued him through their neighborhood in pickup trucks. Bryan recorded the shooting, which later sparked widespread outrage.

Charges Against Jackie Johnson

Jackie Johnson has been indicted on charges of violating her oath of office and hindering the investigation into Arbery’s death. Prosecutors allege that Johnson, who was the District Attorney at the time, attempted to protect the McMichaels by preventing Travis McMichael from being arrested immediately after the shooting. Johnson denies the allegations, claiming that she quickly handed the case over to an outside prosecutor to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

Former Georgia DA Jackie Johnson Faces Charges for Hindering Investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing
Former Georgia DA Jackie Johnson Faces Charges for Hindering Investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing

Jury selection for Johnson’s trial is expected to conclude on Tuesday at the Glynn County courthouse in Brunswick, Georgia. The process was delayed by a rare winter storm, but proceedings are now set to move forward. The trial is expected to last for at least two weeks, and it will take place at the same courthouse where the McMichaels and Bryan were convicted of murder in 2021. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr’s office is leading the prosecution of Johnson.

The Events Leading to Arbery’s Death

The McMichaels armed themselves and chased Arbery after they saw him running past their home. They believed he was responsible for local thefts, though there was no evidence to support this. Bryan joined the chase in his own vehicle and filmed the fatal shooting. Arbery, who was unarmed, was shot at close range by Travis McMichael. Greg McMichael, a retired investigator, called Johnson shortly after the shooting, leaving a voicemail asking for advice on how to handle the situation.

More than two months passed without arrests, which was partly due to the local authorities’ inaction. The case gained national attention after Bryan’s video of the shooting was leaked online. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case, resulting in the arrests of the McMichaels and Bryan on charges of murder. All three men were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Johnson, who was voted out of office in November 2020, now faces trial for allegedly using her position to shield the killers from justice.