GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — It has been four years since 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery was killed in the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Brunswick, Ga. His murder garnered national attention and his killers were sentenced to life in prison in 2022.
However, the case against former Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson, has stalled. Johnson is accused of using her authority to protect Gregory and Travis McMichael, who were both sentenced. She's since pleaded not guilty.
Johnson waived her arraignment in 2022; Georgia's Office of the Attorney General said she filed two motions to dismiss the case in March 2022. The state filed a request that the motions be denied in May 2022. A judge issued an order denying Johnson's motions to dismiss misconduct charges she faces in November 2023. The Office of the Attorney General said they cannot say much about the case. However, their spokesperson sent a statement to First Coast News.
“We remain fully prepared to present our case in court, and we look forward to the opportunity to do so. Our goal is to secure maximum justice for Ahmaud Arbery and his family, and we have never stopped fighting for them.”
Officials say court proceedings take varying periods of time depending on a host of factors, including the caseload of the courts, judges and lawyers. A new hearing date has not been scheduled, yet.
First Coast News reached out to Darryl Cohen, a defense attorney and former prosecutor in Georgia. He said it's possible that it could take years before a trial date is set for Johnson.
"As long as the case proceeds in an orderly fashion, sometimes cases take a month or two," Cohen said. "Sometimes 10 or 11 years, really unusual. Sometimes three or four years, normally."
Cohen said prosecuting a prosecutor is unprecedented. A trial with Johnson, Cohen said, will take longer than expected.
"It's not the normal case, so take away the normality," Cohen said. "The fact that it's taking a long time is troubling, because the public wants to see something happen. But, it's not necessarily a bad thing to make sure that all of the proper steps and procedures are taken."
Legal experts said it is possible Johnson could face a jury. She faces charges of obstruction and violating her oath of office.