Former Georgia district attorney Jackie Johnson criminally charged over investigation into Ahmaud Arbery shooting death

A painting of Ahmaud arbery is displayed at a New Springfield Baptist Church Vigil on February 23, 2021 in Waynesboro.
On Thursday, a former Georgia district attorney was indicted on charges of violating the oath and obstruction of a police officer. The investigation into Ahmaud arbery's death was conducted after three white men chased Ahmaud in trucks. Ahmaud was a Black jogger.

Jackie Johnson, a former top prosecutor in Brunswick Judicial Circuit, is charged with showing favoritism to Greg McMichael (65), who was her investigator.

According to the grand jury indictment, Johnson suggested that another county's prosecutor be appointed to handle the case. She did not reveal that she had sought her assistance in the Arbery investigation.

Johnson is also accused of blocking Travis McMichael's arrest, Greg's son.

On February 23, 2020 in Brunswick, the McMichaels chased Arbery, 25 and shot him in their truck.

William Bryan, a third man who was behind them in a truck, captured the attack on film.

Travis McMichael shot Arbery with a shotgun three times

Johnson was the DA during the murder. Although she was disqualified from prosecuting the case, the grand jury indictment states that she took many actions that delayed the arrests McMichaels as well as Bryan.

Attorney General Chris Carr presented the case against Johnson to the Grand Jury in Glynn County.

Carr stated in a prepared statement that Thursday that "our office is committed to ensuring people who are entrusted with serving are performing their duties ethically, honestly,"

We thank the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and the Glynn Country Grand Jury for all their hard work. He said that although an indictment was issued today, the file was not closed. However, he stated that they will continue to investigate to find justice.

After a third prosecutor, Liberty County's DA, took control of the case, the McMichaels, who claimed that Arbery was a burglary, were eventually charged with murder. Bryan was later charged with murder.

Three men have pleaded not guilty and will begin their trial next month.