Former DA Jackie Johnson cleared of hindering Ahmaud Arbery Case; Judge Dismisses Felony Charge

The trial of former Coastal Georgia District Attorney Jackie Johnson came to a sudden end when a judge dismissed the remaining felony charge against her. Johnson had been indicted in 2021 by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr’s office, accused of hindering the investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s murder. However, the prosecution’s case faltered, and Senior Judge John R. Turner dismissed both the misdemeanor obstruction charge and the felony charge of violating her oath of office.

Johnson’s defense team challenged the validity of the felony charge, arguing that it was based on an oath she took in 2010, which was not in effect during Arbery’s murder in 2020. The judge agreed, ruling that the oath Johnson swore after her reelection bids in 2012 and 2016 was the relevant one. While expressing sympathy for Arbery’s family, Judge Turner explained that he couldn’t see any legal justification to continue the case.

Arbery’s parents expressed disappointment but understood the judge’s rationale. Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, stated that while the law might have been on Johnson’s side, she still believed Johnson had been involved in the cover-up of her son’s death. Throughout the trial, the prosecution’s witnesses seemed to help the defense more, with some testifying that Johnson did not interfere with the investigation. The indictment alleged that Johnson instructed police not to arrest Travis McMichael, but key witnesses, including Glynn County police officers, denied such claims.

Johnson testified in her defense, stating that she recused herself from the case after realizing Greg McMichael, one of the killers, had worked as her chief investigator. She explained that she had initially been told Arbery was a burglary suspect and was unaware of the true circumstances until after the video of Arbery’s killing went viral.

In the end, the judge dismissed the case, and Johnson’s attorney claimed that, had the case gone to a jury, Johnson would have been acquitted. The McMichaels and William “Roddie” Bryan, who participated in the chase and filmed the killing, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In addition, they were convicted of federal hate crimes in 2022 for targeting Arbery due to his race.