Cobb County DA Vows To Find Justice In Ahmaud Arbery Murder

MARIETTA, GA — Cobb County District Attorney Joyette Holmes has vowed to find justice in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery after becoming the fourth prosecutor to be assigned to the case since Arbery was killed on Feb. 23.

Appearing at a news conference Friday morning with GBI Vic Reynolds, investigators declined to go into specific detail of how she would go about handling the case now that it is being handled over Cobb County officials.

“This is an active, ongoing murder investigation,” Reynolds told reporters Friday.

Holmes appointment comes as the GBI’s investigation is wrapping up. On Thursday, William “Roddie” Bryan was arrested and charged with felony murder as well as with criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment after he captured the shooting on his cellphone.

On Friday, Bryan's attorney, Kevin Gough, maintained his client is innocent and told reporters that there is no precedent for his Bryan to be prosecuted. Bryan turned himself into police on Thursday night.

Bryan's arrest, Gough told reporters, “substantial expansion of criminal liability in Georgia,” his lawyer told reporters Friday.

Bryan’s arrest comes after Travis McMichael, 34, and his father, Gregory McMichael, 64, were arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault on May 7, more than two months after the shooting.

On Friday, Reynolds told reporters that the GBI is ready to hand the case off to Cobb County officials after investigators “turned over every stone” in the case.

Reynolds did not rule out the possibility of further arrests, but told reporters, “We feel confident that the individuals who needed to be charged have been charged.”

Holmes takes the case over after Hinesville area District Attorney Tom Durden was assigned the matter after Jackie Johnson and George Barnhill recused themselves.

Earlier this week, Georgia legislators wrote in a letter that they are seeking federal authorities to get involved in the case to assist the GBI. A total of 14 U.S. Representatives signed the letter.

“This devastating case and alarming video brought a national spotlight to our beloved home state,” the letter reads. “For these reasons no stone should be left unturned in ensuring a fair, thorough, and lawful process. Justice cannot exist in a democracy that does not fiercely enforce equality under the law.”