A former district attorney has been charged after she allegedly interfered with the arrest of a man involved in the 2020 fatal shooting of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery.
Former Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson was indicted on charges of violating her oath as a public officer and obstructing a police officer.
Arbery was killed on Feb. 23, 2020, when Greg and Travis McMichael, a white father and son, armed themselves before chasing Arbery down in a pickup truck. Their neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, was also involved.
All three are charged with murder in connection with Arbery’s death and have pleaded not guilty.
Johnson recused herself from the case.
“Our office is committed to ensuring those who are entrusted to serve are carrying out their duties ethically and honestly,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We thank the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Glynn County Grand Jury for their hard work. While an indictment was returned today, our file is not closed, and we will continue to investigate in order to pursue justice.”
Federal prosecutors say Johnson prevented two Glynn County police officers from exercising their duties “by directing that Travis McMichael should not be placed under arrest, contrary to the laws of said State, the good order, peace, and dignity thereof,” on the day of Arbery’s death.
Additionally, Johnson is accused of “showing favor and affection to Greg McMichael during the investigation.”
Greg McMichael served as an investigator in Johnson’s office before retiring in 2019. A recording he left on Johnson’s cellphone soon after the shooting was introduced during the pretrial hearings.
“Jackie, this is Greg,” he said per NPR. “Could you call me as soon as you possibly can? My son and I have been involved in a shooting and I need some advice right away.”
