After three men were convicted of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder, Twitter users brought attention to the case of Jackie Johnson, the former district attorney of Glynn County, Georgia, who is out on bond after being arrested and booked on charges related to her mishandling of Ahmaud Arbery’s case.
Johnson was indicted on counts of obstruction and violations of oath in connection to allegations that she deliberately delayed the arrests of Greg McMichael, Travis McMichael and William Bryan Jr. Prosecutors and Arbery’s parents believe she was trying to help prevent the men from going to trial.
As REVOLT previously reported, the McMichaels and Bryan saw Arbery running in the neighborhood on Feb. 23, 2020, hopped in their pickup truck and proceeded to chase him as they believed he was a burglar.
A confrontation ensued, and Travis discharged his gun, fatally shooting Arbery in what he claimed was an act of self-defense. More than two months went by before any arrests were made.
State prosecutors accuse Johnson of violating her oath by “showing favor and affection” to Greg McMichael, who previously worked for her as an investigator, and obstructing the case by “directing that Travis McMichael should not be placed under arrest.” The indictment also alleges that she failed to “treat Ahmaud Arbery and his family fairly and with dignity.”
“She should spend time in prison,” said Lee Merritt, an attorney for Wanda Cooper-Jones, Arbery’s mother. “Her actions are not just acts of negligence, but she actively worked to cover up the murder.” Twitter users are also calling for Johnson’s conviction.
“I hate that I’m so surprised (and almost proud of) the white members of the jury for letting sanity prevail,” wrote one user. “This should have been a freaking given. Now it’s time to nail Jackie Johnson.”
“The former prosecutor Jackie Johnson who stopped police from arresting Ahmaud Arbery’s killers who is indicted must be in prison for at least obstructing justice,” added a second user. “She must lose her law license. She is a damn disgrace to the legal profession and IMO is a klansman in disguise.”
Johnson faces one to five years in prison if convicted of violating oath and up to one additional year for the charge of obstruction.
See the tweets calling for Johnson’s conviction below.