Former District Attorney Acquitted of One Count in Ahmaud Arbery Case Misconduct Trial
While one charge was dismissed in misconduct trial, the legal battle continues on.

A Georgia judge has acquitted former District Attorney Jackie Johnson of one of two misconduct charges in her trial related to the handling of the 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery. On Monday, Senior Judge John R. Turner dismissed the misdemeanor obstruction charge, citing insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.

The trial, which will continue Tuesday, still includes a felony charge against Johnson for violating her oath of office. The prosecution had argued that Johnson interfered in the case to protect Greg and Travis McMichael, two of the men convicted of Arbery’s murder. However, the judge ruled that there was no substantive proof that Johnson obstructed the police investigation.

“There is not one scintilla of evidence that I’ve heard that would authorize a verdict on that count,” Turner stated in court.

Arbery was fatally shot on February 23, 2020, after being pursued by Greg and Travis McMichael, along with William “Roddie” Bryan, who filmed the shooting. The McMichaels claimed they believed Arbery was involved in a crime, but authorities did not make arrests until the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case months later. The three men were ultimately convicted of murder and federal hate crimes.

The prosecution alleged that Johnson used her influence to shield the McMichaels, particularly Greg McMichael, who was a former investigator in her office. Last week, the prosecution faced a significant challenge when Glynn County Assistant Police Chief Stephanie Oliver testified that she had never discussed the case with Johnson. Oliver was named in the 2021 indictment that accused Johnson of instructing officers not to arrest Travis McMichael.

Prosecutors rested their case on Monday without calling the second officer named in the indictment, Stephan Lowrey, as a witness. Johnson’s defense team subsequently requested the judge to dismiss the felony charge of oath violation as well, but Turner opted to keep it for further consideration. Both sides were asked to submit additional legal arguments before a final ruling.

Johnson stepped down as district attorney after losing her re-election bid in November 2020, a defeat largely attributed to public backlash over her handling of Arbery’s case. A grand jury later indicted her in September 2021.

The jury is scheduled to reconvene Tuesday as the trial progresses.