Ahmaud Arbery death: Jury selection underway for former prosecutor

The trials of Travis McMIchael, Gregory McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan are likely not the last related to the death of Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County. Ex-District Attorney Jackie Johnson is the subject of criminal and civil cases.  (FOX 5 Atlanta)

The trial of former prosecutor Jackie Johnson, accused of meddling in the investigation of Ahmaud Arbery's killing, is taking place in the same Georgia courthouse where Arbery’s killers were convicted of murder in 2021. Johnson was the district attorney in Glynn County when Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was chased and fatally shot by three white men in February 2020.

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What happened to Ahmaud Arberry

The backstory:

Greg McMichael, a retired investigator in Johnson’s office, initiated the pursuit with his son Travis McMichael after Arbery jogged past their home. A neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, joined the chase and recorded the shooting on his phone. The men avoided arrest for over two months until a leaked video of the killing drew national outrage. All three were later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, with additional federal hate crime convictions in 2022.

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What is Johnson charged with

What we know:

Johnson is charged with violating her oath of office, a felony punishable by up to five years, and a misdemeanor count of hindering police. Prosecutors allege she abused her office to shield the McMichaels, showing "favor and affection" and instructing that Travis McMichael not be arrested. Johnson denies any wrongdoing, stating she immediately recused herself due to her connection to Greg McMichael.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's office is leading the prosecution against Johnson. 

Timeline

  • Feb. 23, 2020: Ahmaud Arbery is fatally shot in Brunswick, Georgia.
  • March-May 2020: Arbery's assailants remain free until a video of the killing leaks online, prompting national outrage.
  • September 2021: Jackie Johnson is indicted on charges related to her handling of the investigation.
  • January 2025: Jury selection begins for Johnson's trial in the same courthouse where Arbery’s killers were convicted.

Selecting the jury

What we know:

Officials summoned a large pool of potential jurors due to the notoriety of the case. More than 500 jury duty notices were mailed and 200 were filled out and returned. Many have been dismissed due to biases or hardship. Some expressed strong opinions about the case during questioning, with individuals either accusing Johnson of granting "special treatment" to Ahmaud Arbery's killers or defending her actions as part of her prosecutorial duties. Superior Court Clerk Rebecca Walden anticipates the process will take about a week to complete.

What they're saying:

Opinions on Jackie Johnson's actions remain polarized. A dismissed potential juror wrote that Johnson "interfered with the investigation and let convicted murderers go," while another called the prosecution against her a "witch hunt." Meanwhile, a potential juror excused from the trial stated, "I don’t really think what she did was wrong... Jackie Johnson was just doing her job."

What's next:

Jury selection is expected to continue through the week, with delays caused by winter weather. Once a jury is empaneled, the trial will proceed, focusing on whether Johnson improperly influenced the handling of the case and violated her legal responsibilities as a prosecutor.

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