Arbery Update: DA indicted for misconduct, surrenders

quote:

---

Johnson, 49, who was strongly criticized over the way she handled the Ahmaud Arbery case, was indicted last week by a Glynn County grand jury on charges of violation of oath of public officer and obstruction of a police officer. The charges are related to the investigation surrounding the deadly shooting of Arbery.

Specifically, the indictment (in full at end of the article) accuses Johnson in February 2020 of violating her oath as district attorney “by showing favor and affection to Greg McMichael during the investigation.” Greg McMichael had once worked as an investigator in Johnson’s office.

Johnson also failed “to treat Ahmaud Arbery and his family fairly and with dignity,” the indictment states. It alleges that after Arbery’s death, Johnson sought the assistance of Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Barnhill and, after disqualifying her for office, recommended Barnhill to the Attorney General’s Office for appointment as the case prosecutor without disclosing that she had previously sought Barnhill’s assistance on the case.

The indictment also alleges Johnson “knowingly and willfully” directed officers to not arrest Greg McMichael’s adult son Travis McMichael.

---

quote:

---

“What I think is important about the case is accountability. I think the attorney general in Georgia felt that it was very important, as do many people in the community, that she be held accountable. Whether she be convicted or not, that’s a separate question,” said Brunswick criminal defense lawyer Page Pate, who is not affiliated with the case. “These charges are not clear cut. It’s kind of a stretch to say simply because of the way she handled the situation, she committed a felony offense. That’s going to be an uphill climb for the attorney general, but regardless of the outcome, bringing the indictment here in Glynn County sends a strong message about accountability.”

---