Black Lives Matter: Ex-Georgia district attorney indicted over handling of Ahmaud Arbery killing

Brunswick, Georgia – A former Georgia district attorney has been indicted over her alleged involvement in the high-profile killing of Ahmaud Arbery.

Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging in his neighborhood in February 2020.
Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging in his neighborhood in February 2020.  © IMAGO / UPI Photo

The ex-DA in question, Jackie Johnson, has been charged with violating her oath as a public officer and obstructing a police officer following Arbery's death, CNN reported.

Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was jogging in his neighborhood in February 2020 when three white men chased him down and fatally shot him.

Retired cop Gregory McMichael (65) and his son Travis McMichael (35) said they were carrying out a citizen's arrest when they pursued and fired at Arbery.

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A third man, William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. (51), reportedly hit the young victim with his vehicle while trying to cut off his escape.

All three were indicted on federal hate crime charges earlier this year but pleaded not guilty.

Johnson faces charges over her role in protecting the accused killers

Travis McMichael (35, l.), Gregory McMichael (65, c.), and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. (51) have already been indicted on federal hate crime charges.
Travis McMichael (35, l.), Gregory McMichael (65, c.), and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. (51) have already been indicted on federal hate crime charges.  © Collage: IMAGO / UPI Photo & ZUMA Press

Johnson reportedly came into the picture shortly after the killing. Prosecutors said the elder McMichael left a voicemail on her phone after the incident, asking her to call him back quickly because he and his son had been involved in a shooting.

The DA is now accused of obstructing police officers "by directing that Travis McMichael should not be placed under arrest" and violating her oath of office by "showing favor and affection to Greg McMichael during the investigation."

McMichael had been an investigator for the Brunswick DA's office for two decades. Johnson eventually recused herself, or voluntarily stepped back from the case, due to her connection to the defendant – but not before allegedly trying to get the help of another DA, George E. Barnhill.

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Barnhill later also recused himself, saying he had a personal connection to one of the men in question.

Johnson later lost her bid for reelection in November 2020.

"What this means for us first is a signaling to other prosecutors that if they are not forthcoming with the evidence, if they somehow participate or put their finger on the scale of justice, that they can face consequences themselves," said an attorney for Arbery's family.

Johnson could face one to five years in prison if found guilty of violating her oath, which is a felony. The second charge, a misdemeanor, carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 months.

Cover photo: IMAGO / UPI Photo

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