BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The family of Ahmaud Arbery is expressing frustration after a judge dismissed the last remaining charge against former Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson. Johnson had been accused of hindering the investigation into Arbery’s murder and violating her oath of office.
Arbery’s parents, speaking after the court ruling, voiced disbelief at the decision. However, they emphasized that they found solace in the fact that the three men responsible for shooting and killing their son remain incarcerated.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
The trial involving Jackie Johnson concluded unexpectedly, with the judge dropping the final charge before the jury could reach a verdict. A photograph showed Johnson smiling in court as the decision was made.
The trial had centered around the actions of the former district attorney after Arbery was killed by three men while he was running through their Satilla Shores neighborhood. Johnson had been charged with hindering the criminal investigation into the shooting and violating her oath of office.
Wanda Cooper-Jones, Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, responded to the judge’s decision, acknowledging the disappointment but emphasizing the importance of following the law.
“I thought that we had a guilty, but unfortunately, like I stated earlier, the law is the law and we had to follow the law,” she said.
Read: ‘Devastating’: Former local egg farmer discusses bird flu impacts on egg prices
Despite the ruling, Arbery’s family made it clear that they do not consider this case closed. Arbery’s father, Marcus Arbery, expressed his anger and frustration with the judicial process, stating, “Y’all are some sick people, y’all are sick.”
Ahmaud Arbery’s aunt Diane Arbery also expressed her determination to keep the three men convicted of his murder behind bars, saying, “I’m going to fight to keep them. I’m going to let them know that when you saw my nephew running and weren’t doing anything, you should’ve let him keep on running.”
Read: Ahmaud Arbery’s killers asking Georgia judge for new trial
Johnson’s lawyer, Brian Steel, issued the following statement Wednesday:
“To the family of Ahmaud Arbery: Jackie and I continue to and will always extend our deepest sympathy for the senseless taking of his life. The murder of Ahmaud Arbery is a heinous tragedy that indelibly stains our community.
We are delighted that the baseless and unconscionable prosecution of Jackie Johnson has finally concluded. As proven at trial, nothing about the prosecution of Jackie Johnson was just or grounded in fact. We feel certain that the jurors’ verdict would have been in Jackie Johnson’s favor.”
Read: Unions argue governor’s quarter-billion-dollar teacher pay raise won’t do much for individuals
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
