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Former prosecutor accused of interference in Ahmaud Arbery case finally in court

Former prosecutor accused of interference in Ahmaud Arbery case finally in court

Jackie Johnson, the former Brunswick area prosecutor, appeared in criminal court Wednesday for the first time in three years to defend herself against charges of obstructing the investigation into the 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery.

Flanked by local political allies and members of law enforcement, Johnson sat in Glynn County Superior Court as her defense attorney argued motions ahead of a trial scheduled for late January 2025.

Johnson is accused of interfering in the investigation into Arbery’s death. Three men, one of whom was his former investigator at the DA’s office, were found guilty of killing the 25-year-old Brunswick man who was chased and killed while jogging in a neighborhood predominantly white on February 23, 2020.

On September 2, 2021, a grand jury indicted her on charges of violating her oath of office as Brunswick Judicial Circuit prosecutor by allegedly ordering officers not to arrest Travis McMichael, the son of her former employee , Greg, in the Arbery murder. She is also responsible for choosing the prosecutor who would investigate Arbery’s murder after declaring a conflict of interest in the case.

Johnson arrived at court wearing an outfit similar to the one she wore when she was the county’s chief prosecutor: a pantsuit and a pearl necklace. She was seated at the defense table to the judge’s right, while prosecutors from the Georgia attorney general were stationed to the left.

Former Brunswick Judicial District Attorney Jackie Johnson, right, speaks Wednesday at the Glynn County Courthouse to her attorney, Brian Steele, left, during a pretrial motions hearing in her case of violation of oath of office. (Credit: Michael Hall/The Brunswick News)

Sitting near Johnson in support were former court clerk Ron Adams and his former assistant district attorney, John Johnson (no relation). The courtroom was filled with Glynn County Sheriff’s deputies, court personnel and reporters. Two serving sheriffs were present.

Johnson was represented by Atlanta-based defense attorney Brian Steel, who gained national fame for his role in Georgia’s longest trial that ended with the minimum sentence handed down to his client, Jeffrey Williams , the Atlanta rapper known as Young Thug.

Steel’s portrayal of the rapper was also the main reason for the years-long delay in the prosecution of Johnson.

Steel laid out upcoming arguments in the case, including a claim that Johnson was so focused on her prosecution of John Powell, the former Glynn County police chief, and the department’s drug unit over accusations of corruption that it was impossible for him to have colluded with the Arbery. murder case. Powell’s charges were dismissed after a favorable ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court earlier this year.

“She wasn’t focused. She didn’t know any better,” Steel said, referring to the criminal allegations.

Attorney Brian Steel returns to his seat Wednesday at the Glynn County Courthouse after making arguments during a pretrial motions hearing in the violation of oath of office case against his client, the former Brunswick Judicial Circuit Attorney Jackie Johnson. (Credit: Michael Hall/The Brunswick News)

“No one had ever indicted a police chief before,” he continued.

Pretrial motions, including the scope of what can be said at trial and the types of witnesses both sides want to call, were considered Wednesday.

John Fowler, the top anti-corruption lawyer in the AG’s office leading the case against Johnson, tried to counter Stee’s requests. One of them aimed to disqualify the attorney general’s office from its prosecutorial role.

Fowler said a favorable ruling by the judge on that motion would cause further delays in the case.

“The case would fall into a sort of gray legal limbo,” Fowler said. “No one can do anything. That’s the end goal here.

Evidence seen, unseen

The hearing did not reveal any new evidence that prosecutors expect to present at trial.

But this day revealed a potential political bombshell.

Steel said he wanted to put AG Chris Carr on the stand for questioning as a witness in the case. Carr announced his candidacy for governor in 2026 to succeed Governor Brian Kemp.

Previously, prosecutors revealed the existence of 16 phone calls between Greg McMichael and Johnson, despite her recusal, that she “showed favor and affection for McMichael throughout the case – including when “she was making decisions as a prosecutor on his case.” » according to the motion of May 2022.

The public does not know the content of these calls, nor any other evidence from the GBI that Johnson ordered agents not to arrest Travis McMichael.

Story Type: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified first-hand by the journalist or reported and verified by knowledgeable sources.