Judge Drops Charge Against Ex-DA Accused Of Meddling In Arbery's Case

A Georgia judge has dropped a charge against the former district attorney accused of covering up details surrounding Ahmaud Arbery's 2020 murder.

On Monday (February 3), a judge granted the defense's motion, acquitting former Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson of her misdemeanor count of obstructing or hindering law enforcement, per WALB. Johnson is still facing a felony count of violating her oath, which is the more serious of the two charges. It carries the possibility of up to five years in prison.

The former district attorney has been accused of meddling in the investigation of Arbery's murder.

Arbery was killed on February 23, 2020, while he was jogging in a Brunswick neighborhood. Greg McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael, grabbed guns and chased after Arbery in a truck. The McMichaels' friend, William Bryan, joined the chase in his own truck, blocked Arbery's escape, and recorded as Travis McMichael shot the 25-year-old at close range.

In state court, the three men were convicted of murder in 2021. A federal jury convicted the group of hate crimes and attempted kidnapping in 2022.

Johnson had formerly employed Greg McMichael as an investigator in her office until his retirement in 2019. McMichael called Johnson shortly after Arbery's shooting, according to a recording of their call included in their case file.

“Jackie, this is Greg,” McMichael said. “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.”

Johnson was indicted in 2021 for violating her oath of office and hindering a law enforcement officer after an investigation revealed her undisclosed relationship with McMichael. According to the indictment, Johnson showed "favor and affection" toward McMichael and intervened with police officers at the crime scene, “directing that Travis McMichael should not be placed under arrest.”

Prosecutors said Greg McMichael and Johnson exchanged 16 calls in the weeks following the shooting.

In their motion to drop the misdemeanor count, Johnson's defense cited testimony from one of the officers named in the indictment who said she never had any contact with the ex-DA.

“I think count two fails. There is not one scintilla of evidence that I’ve heard that would authorize a verdict on that count. So, I’m going to grant the motion as to that,” Presiding Judge John Turner said Monday.

Arbery’s father, Marcus, expressed disappointment over the ruling.

“I’m still counting on the justice system because they know it was a bunch of wrongdoing on that DA, police,” he said.

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