Georgia DA had 16 phone calls with one of Ahmaud Arbery’s murderers in days after his killing
Gregory McMichael worked as an investigator in DA Jackie Johnson’s office before he retired
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Sixteen phone calls were made between one of Ahmaud Arbery’s murderers and the local district attorney first assigned to the case in the days after the Black man was chased and shot dead in a racially-motivated attack, according to prosecutors.
Court documents, filed in Glynn County Superior Court last week, show that former Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson spoke with Gregory McMichael multiple times in the weeks after the murder.
Between 23 February 2020 – the day McMichael, his son Travis McMichael and neighbour William “Roddie” Bryan Jr. chased Arbery through a Georgia neighbourhood in their trucks and shot him – and 5 May 2020 – the day the shocking video of the murder was leaked online – call logs reveal that the pair spoke at least 16 times.
The calls began almost immediately after Arbery’s murder, with McMichael calling Ms Johnson for “advice” moments after the shooting.
At 2.14pm that afternoon, McMichael called Ms Johnson but the call was unanswered and he left a voicemail, the documents state.
“Jackie, this is Greg. Could you call me as soon as you possibly can? Um… we’re um … my son and I have been involved in a shooting and I need some advice right away,” he says in the voicemail.
“Could you please call me as soon as you possibly can? Thank you. Bye.”
The following day, another call between the two lasted nine minutes and 15 seconds, according to court documents.
At that time, Ms Johnson was still the DA presiding over the case.
During that time, Ms Johnson participated in phone calls with other officials involved in the case including the lead investigator, according to the call log.
The longest phone call between Ms Johnson and McMichael lasted 21 minutes and four seconds on 30 April, the log shows.
The former DA, who was voted out of office amid accusations of a cover-up over Arbery’s death, is currently awaiting trial on charges that she abused her position of power to shield the killers from prosecution.
Ms Johnson and McMichael had known each other for a long time, after the former Glynn County police officer worked as an investigator in the DA’s office for two decades before his retirement.
The new court documents came in response to two motions filed by Ms Johnson’s legal team to have the criminal charges against her dismissed.
Prosecutors argue that the request should be denied as the legal challenge is untimely, the defence’s claim that there is no evidence supporting the charge is “entirely without merit” and the oath administered to grand jury witnesses was sufficient.
The filing came just days before what would have been Arbery’s 28th birthday on Sunday.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump paid tribute to the Black jogger on Twitter.
“Happy heavenly birthday, Ahmaud Arbery!” he tweeted.
“Today we remember and honor him on what would have been his 28th birthday, grateful that we were able to get justice and bring some measure of peace to his family.”
McMichael, 66, Travis McMichael, 36, and Bryan, 52, were all found guilty of Arbery’s murder at their state trial back in November.
The McMichaels were each sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole while Bryan was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, making him eligible for release after 30 years in prison.
In February, the three killers were also found guilty of all charges in their federal hate crimes trial, which determined that the three white men had pursued and murdered the Black jogger because of his race.
They each face life in prison on those charges with their sentencing scheduled for August.
The three murderers evaded justice for more than two months after Arbery’s death.
It was only when McMichael’s attorney leaked the footage of his killing online – believing it showed they had not committed any crime – that they were finally arrested and charged.
Ms Johnson had been the first prosecutor on the case before she recused herself over McMichael’s ties to her office.
She handed the case to a second prosecutor George Barnhill who recommended no charges be brought and claimed the killers’ actions were “perfectly legal”, before also recusing himself.
In September, Ms Johnson was indicted by a grand jury on charges of violating her oath as a public officer and obstructing a police officer.
Prosecutors said she prevented two Glynn County police officers from exercising their duties by directing them not to arrest Travis McMichael.
She then violated her oath by “showing favor and affection to Greg McMichael during the investigation,” prosecutors said.
Ms Johnson also allegedly sought assistance from DA Barnhill in the case before recusing herself.
She then allegedly recommended that he take over the case without disclosing his assistance.
Ms Johnson has denied any wrongdoing with her attorneys arguing in legal documents in March that “there is not a scintilla of evidence” that she “ever knowingly and/ or willfully hindered any Law Enforcement Officer(s) from arresting anyone tied to the murder of Mr. Arbery”.