Lead prosecutor in Ahmaud Arbery case resigns

The abrupt departure of lead attorney Jessie Evans from the Cobb County D.A.’s office has people wondering why the Chief Prosecutor, who has been the face of the Ahmaud Arbery case, has left the office and case at this critical time.

Since February 2020, Evans has led the prosecution of three white Glynn County men – Travis McMichael, 35, his father, Gregory McMichael, 65, and William “Roddie” Bryan, 51, who allegedly chased and killed Arbery, a black man who was out for a run. Through video footage shot by one of the suspects, we would learn that one of the men fought with Arbery as the other man shot and killed him. All three are charged with Arbery’s murder.

Evans, nor Cobb County District Attorney Flynn Broady, Jr., offered a reason for his exit. This leaves citizens guessing about what transpired and why Evans would leave at this juncture. A statement from the D.A.’s office said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jesse Evans resigned, but it did not provide a reason. Broady’s statement included the following comment:

“Jesse Evans has been an invaluable member of the Cobb DA’s team for many years, and we wish him every success in his next chapter. Teams are greater than any single individual, and we will continue working as a team to seek justice in each and every case.”

Broady also announced in the statement that Cobb County Assistant District Attorney, Linda Dunikoski, will now serve as the lead prosecutor in the case. The new lead prosecutor on the case takes over with nearly two decades of experience. Dunikosk joined the Cobb County D.A.’s office in 2019 where she headed the appellate unit. Prior to Cobb County, Dunikosk was with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office where she worked several high-profile cases, including homicides, complex RICO cases, gang cases, and crimes against women and children.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr assigned the murder case to the Cobb County District Attorney’s office last May after it had passed through three other D.A. offices including Glynn County, Ware County, and Liberty County.