Former prosecutor denies cover-up in Ahmaud Arbery case during trial

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - A former district attorney is on trial for allegedly abusing her power to shield the men who killed Ahmaud Arbery, though she insists she knew few details until a video of the shooting surfaced.

What we know:

Former District Attorney Jackie Johnson took the witness stand Tuesday to deny charges that she abused her power to protect the men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, according to the Associated Press. 

Johnson, who recused her office from the case due to a conflict of interest—as the shooter, Greg McMichael, was the son of a former employee—insisted she had limited knowledge of the incident until cellphone video leaked online two months later, showing Arbery being shot dead in the street.

Johnson became emotional as she recalled meeting Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, after the video went public. She testified that she initially believed Arbery had been shot while committing a burglary, but the video "told a different story."

"I felt like he was murdered," Johnson said, describing her reaction to the footage that showed Arbery running while Travis McMichael stood in his path with a shotgun. Arbery was killed by two close-range shots as he grabbed for the weapon.

What happened to Ahmaud Arbery

The backstory:

Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on Feb. 23, 2020, in Glynn County, Georgia. Greg and Travis McMichael armed themselves and pursued Arbery in a pickup truck, suspecting him of burglary. A neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, joined the chase and recorded the cellphone video showing Travis McMichael shooting Arbery.

Greg McMichael had recently retired from his role as an investigator in Johnson’s office. About an hour after the shooting, he left a voicemail on Johnson’s phone asking for help. Johnson admitted speaking with McMichael seven times between the shooting and the video’s release but denied offering assistance or discussing case details.

The Prosecutor's Case

What they're saying:

Prosecutors argue that Johnson worked behind the scenes to assign the case to George Barnhill, a neighboring district attorney who had already advised police that the shooting was not a crime. During cross-examination, Johnson’s defense attorney, Brian Steel, asked whether she ever suggested to Barnhill to find grounds for self-defense.

"No," Johnson replied.

Lead prosecutor John Fowler questioned the credibility of Johnson’s account, highlighting that no one else witnessed her phone calls with Greg McMichael.

"Nobody else heard those calls," Fowler said. "Those phone calls between you and Greg McMichael remain between you and Greg McMichael and nobody else."

Johnson responded: "I’m telling you what happened."

What we don't know:

While Johnson claims she had no role in protecting Arbery’s killers, questions remain about her interactions with Greg McMichael and her decision-making in the case’s early stages.

One charge dismissed

What's next:

Johnson faces a felony charge of violating her oath of office, which carries a penalty of one to five years in prison. Senior Judge John R. Turner has already acquitted her of a second charge—obstructing police—citing a lack of evidence. The trial continues as the prosecution seeks to prove Johnson’s alleged misconduct.

PREVIOUS: One charge dismissed against former Georgia prosecutor in Ahmaud Arberry case

Why you should care:

This case highlights concerns over the role of prosecutorial misconduct and potential systemic bias in the justice system. The outcome could have lasting implications for how similar cases are handled in the future.