A former Georgia district attorney, Jackie Johnson, is currently on trial for charges related to the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in 2020. Arbery, a young Black man, was chased and fatally shot by white men in Glynn County nearly five years ago.
Johnson is facing accusations of violating her oath of office and hindering police in the aftermath of Arbery's killing. The prosecution's case took a hit as a police supervisor testified that Johnson did not obstruct her during the investigation.
Stephanie Oliver, Glynn County's assistant police chief, denied any efforts by Johnson or her office to obstruct her supervision of investigators assigned to Arbery's case. Oliver stated that she had no interaction with Johnson during the investigation.
The indictment alleges that Johnson directed that Travis McMichael, one of the men involved in the shooting, should not be arrested. Travis and his father, Greg McMichael, armed themselves and pursued Arbery after suspecting him of theft. A neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, joined the chase and recorded the shooting on a cellphone.
Greg McMichael, a retired investigator from Johnson's office, contacted her for help after the shooting. However, two months passed without arrests until a video of the incident surfaced online, leading to the arrests of the three men involved.
The Georgia Attorney General's office indicted Johnson in 2021, alleging that she abused her power to delay arrests and influence the appointment of an outside prosecutor who initially deemed Arbery's killing as justified.
During the trial, witnesses testified about Johnson's actions following the shooting, including her communication with outside prosecutors. The defense has challenged the prosecution's case, emphasizing the lack of evidence linking Johnson to any obstruction of justice.
Despite the ongoing trial, the family of Ahmaud Arbery remains confident that justice will be served. The prosecution is expected to continue presenting witnesses and evidence to establish Johnson's culpability in the case.
