Police Officer Told Ahmaud Arbery’s Killer ‘You’re Going Home Today’ Hours After His Arrest

Travis McMichael enters a Glynn County courtroom before a hearing challenging his conviction of killing Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Brunswick, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

In a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the tragic death of Ahmaud Arbery, a jury was presented with a video on Wednesday that revealed a police investigator informing Travis McMichael, the man who fatally shot Arbery, that he would not be arrested that day.

This exchange occurred roughly two hours after the shooting incident on February 23, 2020, when McMichael, his father Greg McMichael, and a neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, pursued and ultimately killed the 25-year-old Black man while he was jogging in their Glynn County neighborhood.

During his testimony, Glynn County police investigator Roderic Nohilly stated, “You’re going home today,” to McMichael, indicating that no immediate action would be taken against him. This moment is significant as it highlights the initial response of law enforcement to the shooting, which has since been scrutinized for its handling of the case. The video was presented as part of the criminal misconduct trial of Jackie Johnson, the former District Attorney for coastal Glynn County at the time of Arbery’s death. Johnson is facing charges for allegedly interfering with the investigation into the shooting, which has raised questions about her conduct and the broader implications of prosecutorial discretion.

The circumstances surrounding Arbery’s death drew national attention, particularly after a graphic cellphone video of the shooting surfaced online in May 2020, prompting widespread outrage and leading to the involvement of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Prior to this, no arrests were made for over two months, raising concerns about the initial investigation led by local police. The McMichaels claimed they pursued Arbery under the suspicion that he was a thief, asserting that Travis shot him in self-defense.

Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed in February 2020 by Travis McMichael while out on a morning jog through his neighborhood

Johnson’s defense hinges on her assertion that she acted appropriately by recusing herself from the case due to her prior professional relationship with Greg McMichael. She sought assistance from another district attorney, George E. Barnhill, who advised law enforcement that the shooting appeared justified. Prosecutors argue that Johnson violated her oath by recommending Barnhill for the case without disclosing his previous conclusions about the shooting.

Testimony from Nohilly suggested that the McMichaels did not exhibit any concern about potential charges immediately following the incident. He stated that he was attempting to maintain rapport with Travis McMichael during their interview, as the investigation was still in its early stages. Nohilly clarified that while they had gathered initial statements, the investigation was ongoing, and no final determinations had been made regarding potential charges.

The emotional impact of Arbery’s death was poignantly conveyed through the testimony of his mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, who recounted the moment she received the devastating news of her son’s death. She described the heart-wrenching experience of learning from an officer that her son had been shot while allegedly committing a burglary, a narrative that has since been challenged as more information about the case has emerged.

As the trial progresses, the implications of the decisions made by local law enforcement and prosecutors continue to unfold, raising critical questions about accountability and justice in cases involving racial violence. The outcome of Johnson’s trial could have significant ramifications for how similar cases are handled in the future, underscoring the importance of transparency and integrity within the criminal justice system.

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