Jackie Johnson, Brunswick’s former district attorney, is accused of obstructing the investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s 2020 murder.
⚖️ What’s Happening: Jury selection began this week in the trial of Jackie Johnson, who was Glynn County’s district attorney when Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was killed while jogging in February 2020.
- Johnson is accused of using her authority to interfere with the investigation and protect Greg McMichael, a former investigator for her office, and his son, Travis, who fatally shot Arbery.
- Prosecutors allege that Johnson directed police not to arrest Travis McMichael and delayed further investigation before recusing herself.
📰 Why It Matters: This trial examines whether a prosecutor’s actions influenced the handling of a high-profile murder investigation. For many, it’s about ensuring fairness and accountability in the justice system.
👨⚖️ The Charges: Johnson faces one felony count of violating her oath of office and one misdemeanor count of obstruction. A grand jury indicted her in 2021, roughly a year and a half after Arbery’s death.
🚨 Catch Up Quick: Arbery’s killing gained national attention after video of the incident surfaced, showing the McMichaels chasing Arbery in their truck before Travis McMichael shot him. Both McMichaels and a third man involved, William “Roddie” Bryan, were later convicted of murder.
📅 What’s Next: Twelve jurors are expected to be selected Tuesday morning, with the trial anticipated to last around two weeks. Jury selection is a critical step in ensuring impartiality in a case that has drawn widespread attention.