Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025
Good morning. This week, we’re reporting on new information related to former Brunswick-area district attorney Jackie Johnson, who has been on trial since last week. The Current has been in the courtroom.
Plus, we look at a surprise reversal in the case of a fatal Savannah car chase from 2017, new national homicide numbers trending downards and what Georgia Supreme Court’s chief justice says what needs improving in the year ahead.
Questions, comments or story ideas? Reach out to staff@thecurrentga.org.
NEWS: COURTS
Conflicting accounts of in Brunswick DA trial
The public is finally learning specifics about former Brunswick-area district attorney Jackie Johnson’s decisions in the wake of Ahmaud Arbery’s death nearly five years ago.
Arguments began in Johnson’s criminal trial on Tuesday, and the prosecution presented its first witnesses on Wednesday.
In opening arguments, the state attorney general’s office and criminal defense lawyers for Jackie Johnson presented vastly different accounts of what Johnson knew and how she acted and reacted after learning about Arbery’s murder at the hands of Johnson’s former employee.
NEWS: COURTS
Chief justice asks for court improvements
The chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court called on state officials Tuesday to support plans to improve safety and technology throughout the state’s judicial system.
During Tuesday’s annual State of the Judiciary address, Chief Justice Michael Boggs discussed key legislative proposals and other plans for supporting a statewide court system with 1,600 judges and thousands of court support staffers.
One plan to increase transparency across the state courts includes a comprehensive records system. That system is currently siloed among 159 different court systems, and it is difficult to share information across districts.
NEWS: COURTS
Speaking of the Georgia Supreme Court …
The Georgia Supreme Court reversed the felony murder convictions of Jerry Chambers, who was previously found guilty in Chatham County for striking and killing three people during a police chase through downtown Savannah in 2017.
While the justices expressed skepticism during oral arguments last fall, the court reversed the convictions on Tuesday and ordered resentencing on other convicted charges associated with the crime. Two justices dissented.
One of the people killed by Chambers was prominent Savannahian, Scott Waldrup. The legal argument behind the reversal and resentencing centered on whether prosecutors under then-Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap thoroughly established that the officers chasing Chambers identified themselves as officers, which underpinned the felony murder convictions.
The court believed they did not. The Current covered Chambers’ appeal back in September and the niche legal argument his attorneys relied on.
NEWS: PUBLIC SAFETY
U.S. violent crime rates down
The number of homicides across the United States declined by 16% in 2024, continuing a recent downward trajectory, according to the latest crime trends report from the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank.
It comes as state legislatures nationwide are expected to prioritize a variety of criminal justice measures this year, including prison oversight, illegal immigration, retail theft and policing standards and procedures.
Polls show most Americans see crime as a significant problem, though fewer than in recent years.
Trial of former Brunswick DA Jackie Johnson starts with conflicting case accounts
Former Brunswick-area district attorney Jackie Johnson is on trial for violating her oath of office and hindering a police investigation in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, with arguments presented by the Georgia Attorney General’s office and Johnson’s criminal defense lawyers.
GA Supreme Court chief pitches need for better tech, safety across state’s judicial system
Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs called on state officials Tuesday to support plans to improve safety and technology throughout the state’s judicial system.
Most violent crime rates have fallen back to pre-pandemic levels, new report shows
Homicides across the US declined in 2024, continuing a recent downward trajectory. It comes as state legislatures plan to prioritize a variety of criminal justice measures.
Trump spending freeze memo that provoked confusion, chaos rescinded
The Trump administration rescinded a memo calling for a spending freeze on various federal grant and loan programs, following widespread confusion and criticism from lawmakers and recipients of the grants.
Coastal Georgia snow likely a result, not a refutation of climate change
Climate change continues to send average temperatures in Georgia upward, and a rare cold spell is linked to climate change, too.
Support independent, solutions-based investigative journalism without bias, fear or favor on issues affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
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