Ahmaud Arbery Update Three white men were found guilty of murder for chasing down and fatally shooting a 25 year old black man named Ahmad Arbory in February 2020. Those men may now spend the rest of their lives in prison. The Trigger Travis McMichael, his father, Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor, William Roddy Bryan, claimed that they suspected Arbury of burglaries in their neighborhood and were attempting to make a Citizen’s arrest. But prosecutors argued the men had no evidence of Arbory committing any crimes and no right to pursue him. The killing prompted Georgia officials to repeal the state’s Citizens Arrest law, and the case garnered national attention.
A jury has found all three men charged in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery guilty of murder. Follow here for live Ahmaud Arbery Updates.
Ahmaud Arbery Update It drew civil rights leaders to Brunswick, Georgia today, President Biden said in part, quote, the verdict ensures that those who committed this horrible crime will be punished. CBS’s Omar Bifranka leads off our coverage at the courthouse. Good evening, Omar.
Good evening. When we first talked to Ahmad Arbor’s mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, 17 months ago, there was not a lot of attention on this case, but she was pushing investigators to dig deeper. She wanted the men arrested, tried, and convicted today. A year and a half later, because of her pressure, her prayers were answered.
Count one, malice murder. We the jury find the defendant, Travis Mcmichal, guilty.Ahmaud Arbery Update
An emotional reaction from Amad Arbury’s father to the first of 23 guilty verdicts for the three men who murdered his son. Arbury’s mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, wept in the back row as the verdict was read.
To tell you just, I never saw this day back in 2020. I never thought this day would come, but God is good.
The three men stood silent as their fates were red. They could spend the rest of their lives in prison. Their attorneys say they’re disappointed, but respect the jury’s decision.
We understand that they feel they have gotten justice today. We respect that. We honor that.
Travis McMichael, the man who pulled the trigger, was found guilty on all charges. His father, Greg McMichael, was found guilty on all but one count of malice murder. And neighbor, William Roddy Bryan, who recorded the fatal encounter on his cell phone, was found guilty on six counts, including felony murder.
We would expect the judge to give the most severe sentence to, obviously, Travis McMichael, and that would probably be a life sentence. The judge could go up to a life sentence for the felony murder on the other two, but they are all facing similar sentencing.
Defense attorneys argued the defendant suspected Arbury was a burglar and was conducting a Citizen’s arrest and that Travis McMichael shot Arbury in self-defense.
You are allowed to use force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if you believe it’s necessary.
Jurors also heard from more than two dozen witnesses during the trial, including Travis McMichael, who said during cross-examination Arbury did not threaten him.
He hasn’t pulled out a gun.
That’s correct.
He hasn’t said one word to you. He has not threatened you in any way, verbally or physically.
No ma’am.
No knives.
No knives.
The jury of nine women and three men, all white except for one black man, came to their decision after more than 11 hours of deliberation outside the courthouse, a crowd chanted Amad Harbour’s name celebrated the verdict and his family, who had been present almost every day in court.
I would want to see no Daddy.
Watch the kids get lying and shot down like that for Wanda Cooper Jones. The verdict is a validation of her son’s life.
You know him as a mod. I know him as quez. He will now rest in Amen.ahmaud arbery art.
The judge has not set a date for sentencing. Because of this case, Georgia’s Citizen’s arrest law was repealed and state hate crime laws were passed. As for the defendants, their legal journey is not over. They now face federal hate crime charges in a trial that will start next year. ahmaud arbery jury selection.
Margaret, Ahmaud Arbery Update Margaret Franca thank you.