This is Ahmaud Arbery

Ahmaud Arbery deserves justice

Getting justice for Ahmaud has been an uphill battle from the start. Given the attackers’ close relationship with law enforcement, transparency and accountability cannot be taken for granted in any way. The Glynn County Police department, responsible for the initial investigation into Ahmaud’s death, is a notoriously corrupt institution.

Year after year, their officers have been involved in scandal after scandal, involving offenses like inappropriate sexual contact with informants in a narcotics investigation, lying to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and interfering with investigations into police-involved shootings.

The initial police report shows an appalling lack of investigation into the case, citing only Gregory McMichael’s account of the case. The case has been passed along to a new prosecutor three times, and now sits with the Cobb Judicial Circuit District Attorney Joyette M. Holmes.

In light of overwhelming public pressure, the Georgia Bureau of investigation has arrested Gregory and Travis McMichael and William “Roddie” Bryan, but our work is not done. There is at least one more person who played an active and willing role in Ahmaud’s murder that has yet to be held accountable — Robert Rash.

Glynn County Police Officer Robert Rash has thus far managed to stay out of the spotlight, but played a critical role that we cannot downplay. When a Satilla Shores homeowner shared with him that there may be people walking onto his property, Rash referred him to Gregory McMichael.

Gregory McMichael had no business making any kind of arrest — citizens’ arrest or otherwise. He was a police officer in Glynn County, but due to his refusal to attend trainings related to de-escalating and use of force on the job, he was banned from carrying a gun on duty, and restricted from doing any “real police work.” While he never attended these courses that address situations likely to result in violence, he did manage to attend courses related to fear-mongering about Islam.

Not only did Rash improperly empower McMichael in this case, but on February 11, based on this recommendation, armed vigilantes from the community coordinated with police to hunt down Ahmaud. They did not catch him that day, but they did just 12 days later.

Officer Rash’s actions here were not just improper or unwise - they were illegal. Under Georgia’s Party to a Crime Law,
if someone intentionally advises, encourages, hires, or counsels someone to commit a crime, then they are considered part of the commission of the crime. Additionally if someone intentionally helps, assists, encourages or incites a crime, then they are part of the commission of the crime.

Officer Rash actively facilitated the mob that murdered Ahmaud. Joyette Holmes and the GBI should bring charges against the McMichael’s and William “Roddie” Bryan, and should investigate and bring charges against Glynn County Police Officer Robert Rash, whose role in the crime is just now coming to light.