SAVANNAH, Ga. — Shortly after his son shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery, Greg McMichael reached out for assistance to Jackie Johnson, the local district attorney, who was once his employer. In a voicemail, he stated: “My son and I have been involved in a shooting, and I need some advice right away.” This call would later play a significant role in the unfolding story, which culminated in charges against McMichael, his son Travis, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan. All three, white men who chased Arbery—a 25-year-old Black man—while armed, are now serving life sentences for murder and federal hate crimes. Notably, these three men managed to avoid arrest for over two months as communications between Greg McMichael and Johnson persisted, according to court records.
Five years down the line, Jackie Johnson faces trial over allegations that she misused her position to obstruct the police inquiries surrounding Arbery’s death. Jury selection is slated to begin on Tuesday in Brunswick, located approximately 70 miles south of Savannah. Below are the essential details regarding the case.
Ahmaud Arbery often went for runs in the Satilla Shores neighborhood, where he was fatally shot on February 23, 2020, just under 2 miles from his home. On that day, while running past the McMichaels’ residence, both Greg and Travis McMichael armed themselves and pursued him. Bryan also joined the chase, capturing video footage on his cellphone. The footage revealed Travis McMichael shooting Arbery from close range during a physical struggle over the shotgun. Authorities later discovered Arbery was unarmed and had no stolen items, yet the initial police response allowed the men to return home. In their incident report, Greg McMichael claimed they thought Arbery was involved in theft at a nearby construction site and that his son’s actions were self-defense.
In the aftermath, Bryan’s video recording was leaked online about two months later, igniting widespread outrage and making Arbery’s death a focal point in the national conversation about racial justice. This incident emerged against the backdrop of protests and demonstrations following the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation later took over the case, leading to the quick arrest of the McMichaels, followed by Bryan two weeks later.
Jackie Johnson had been the elected district attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit for a decade at the time of Arbery’s death. Greg McMichael had previously worked as an investigator in her office before retiring the prior year. Due to this relationship, Johnson claimed she recused her office from managing the case as soon as it arose. Subsequently, a neighboring district attorney, George Barnhill, was appointed to oversee the prosecution. However, he soon determined that the McMichaels acted within their legal rights when attempting to detain Arbery.
In May 2020, following the arrests of the McMichaels, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr initiated an inquiry into the conduct of the two prosecutors. While Carr indicated he had made the appointment based on Johnson’s recommendation, it was later revealed that he was unaware Barnhill had previously advised local authorities that the shooting did not constitute a crime. Following the uproar, Johnson was voted out of office in November 2020, citing the surrounding controversy as a contributing factor while maintaining her innocence. The situation escalated when a grand jury indicted her on September 2, 2021. Carr’s office took on the prosecution of her case.
Johnson faces charges of violating her oath of office, a felony that could lead to a prison sentence of one to five years. Additionally, she has been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly hindering the police investigation by instructing that Travis McMichael not be arrested. Johnson has previously asserted that her office did not direct police to refrain from making arrests. Her defense attorney claimed during pretrial hearings that Johnson was preoccupied with another high-profile case and was not fully aware of the developments regarding Arbery’s case. Prosecutors have not publicly revealed significant evidence related to the trial yet, but court documents indicate there were 16 calls exchanged between Greg McMichael and Johnson in the weeks immediately following the incident.
In preparation for the jury selection process, notices were dispatched to 500 residents in the county—more than usual—to ensure a fair and impartial jury. On Tuesday morning, potential jurors who arrive at the courthouse will undergo questioning regarding their prior knowledge of the case. It is anticipated that the process could extend for a week or more before a jury of 12 members, along with alternates, is finalized.
The trial’s delay, spanning over three years, has been attributed in part to Chief Judge John R. Turner, who stated that the situation was exacerbated by Johnson’s attorney spending nearly two years in a complex trial involving rapper Young Thug. Following the conclusion of that case, Johnson’s trial was promptly scheduled.
This account has been revised for accuracy in the details surrounding Arbery’s killing.
