Statement of DA Rollins on the Verdicts Returned in the Murder of Ahmaud Arbery

Boston, November, 24, 2021— The road to justice is long and uneven. Today’s verdicts hopefully grant a sense of accountability for Ahmaud Arbery, his family and his Glynn County, Georgia, community.  But this is not justice.  Justice would be Ahmaud alive today. Justice is the freedom to jog and live and simply exist without fear. Justice is a world where everyone has the same full autonomy and independence that certain people are automatically afforded as a birthright.   

The fight must continue. Let’s not forget that Ahmaud was murdered on February 23, 2020, but the video of his execution did not surface until May 5, 2020. It was only after the community reacted and demanded justice for Ahmaud that anything happened. We should all be outraged that at least three elected prosecutors watched the same video of Ahmaud being hunted and murdered and chose not to pursue any criminal charges. Georgia has an outdated Citizens Arrest law and just like Stand Your Ground and the Castle Doctrine, the principle only ever seems to apply in favor of certain people, not others.  See, e.g. Trayvon Martin and Kenneth Walker (Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend).  Now, former Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson stands indicted for violating her oath of office and hindering a law enforcement officer for her intentional actions attempting to shield Ahmaud’s killers – one of whom was her former employee – from facing any charges. As prosecutors, we are ministers of justice. I am embarrassed that a member of my profession acted with such callous disregard for an innocent victim of murder and his grieving family.

I am so grateful to and proud of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for stepping in, taking over this failed investigation, and making charging decisions and arrests within 48 hours.  Further, Assistant District Attorney Linda Dunikoski and other excellent members of law enforcement worked tirelessly and valiantly to hold these vigilantes accountable for the life they stole, the family they tortured  and the communities they impacted and traumatized.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.