Former Georgia DA Jackie Johnson will head to trial for allegedly tampering with Ahmaud Arbery’s case.
Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed on February 23, 2020, in Glynn County, Georgia by Gregory McMichael, his son, Travis McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan. The entire incident was captured on video by Bryan and it showed them following Arbery in their pickup truck with a shotgun.
Two months passed before the men were arrested due to Glynn County being informed by Johnson that the men “were not flight risks and that no arrests should be made until there was a follow-up,” reports say. It later came to light that Gregory McMichael used to work as an investigator for Johnson.
In May 2020, the McMichaels and Bryan were arrested after the video of the shooting was released by Bryan. He believed that the evidence would prove that they acted in self-defense when they fatally shot Ahmaud Arbery.
Johnson received backlash for her decision to decline to arrest the men and how her connection to McMichael played a part in her decision. Jackie Johnson recused herself from the case, however, she began to lose more. In 2021, she was indicted by a grand jury for a felony violation of her oath of office and a misdemeanor count of hindering a police officer.
A judge has set a date for Johnson’s trial and the jury selection will start on January 21, 2025. The legal proceedings will start shortly after. The McMichaels and Bryan currently serving their sentences, however, Arbery’s father, Marcus Arbery, is waiting for justice to be served for what Johnson had done.
“We’re supposed to have had justice on her because she is the ring leader,” he said. “It’s time for her to come to justice. It’s been a long time coming. My boy has been dead, going on for five years now. My family is still hurting and suffering.”