Judge orders acquittal of ex-prosecutor on 1 of 2 counts in misconduct trial over Ahmaud Arbery case
Source: Associated Press
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) A judge on Monday ordered the acquittal of a former Georgia prosecutor on one of the two misconduct charges against her, ruling that prosecutors at her trial failed to present any evidence the she obstructed a police investigation of the 2020 killing of Ahmaud .Arbery.
The trial of former District Attorney Jackie Johnson was to continue Tuesday. She still faces a felony charge of violating her oath of office.
Soon after prosecutors rested their case Monday, the judge took the rare step of granting a directed verdict on the misdemeanor obstruction charge against Johnson. The ruling means the judge found the case against Johnson on that single charge was too weak for any reasonable jury to convict her.
There is not one scintilla of evidence that Ive heard that would authorize a verdict on that count, Senior Judge John R. Turner said from the bench.
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By RUSS BYNUM
Updated 5:51 PM EST, February 3, 2025
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/ahmaud-arbery-prosecutor-trial-jackie-johnson-893b54c09ed2af01d5d9c88b333f4298