BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Former Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson took the stand Tuesday in her own defense, continuing her criminal trial concerning her alleged mishandling of the investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s murder.
The trial, which captured significant public attention, entered a crucial phase on Tuesday, with Johnson directly addressing jurors.
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Johnson defended her actions in the investigation of the 2020 shooting death of Arbery.
The prosecution has accused her of using her position to delay the case and protect those involved in the murder, including Gregory and Travis McMichael, the father and son who pursued and then shot Arbery. William “Roddie” Bryan trailed the men in his vehicle and recorded the shooting of Arbery. The McMichaels and Bryan were convicted in Arbery’s murder.
Johnson firmly maintained that she did not intervene in the case improperly.
During her testimony, Johnson recounted key moments from the case, including her interactions with the McMichaels. She explained that after the video of Arbery’s death was publicly released in May 2020, she was contacted by Arbery’s family, who expressed their outrage.
RELATED: Judge dismisses one charge against former Brunswick DA Jackie Johnson
“I grabbed her hand and I said, ‘I’m so sorry about your son,’” Johnson testified, referring to a conversation she had with Arbery’s mother.
Johnson was questioned about her belief regarding the shooting:
Attorney: “Watching that video, did you believe that Mr. Ahmaud Arbery is a perpetrator?”
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Johnson: “No, it looked like he was murdered to me.”
In a pivotal moment of the trial, Johnson’s defense team highlighted a key piece of evidence: voice messages from Gregory McMichael that Johnson had turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
“I knew at this point he was a murder suspect,” Johnson explained when asked about why she provided the GBI with McMichael’s voicemails.
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This testimony has become central to Johnson’s defense, as she seeks to demonstrate that she was not complicit in obstructing justice.
In a significant legal development on Friday, the judge overseeing the case dismissed one of the two charges against Johnson. Johnson still faces violating the oath of office.
As the trial progresses, all eyes will remain on Johnson’s testimony and whether the defense can convince jurors that she acted appropriately in her role as DA.
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