Three white men who were previously convicted of murder in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 are seeking a new trial. Attorneys for Greg McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan are presenting various arguments, such as tainted jury selection and claims of ineffective counsel. The judge who presided over their original trial has set aside two days to hear their legal motions.
The incident occurred when the McMichaels armed themselves and chased Arbery in their pickup truck after suspecting him of being a thief. Bryan joined in the pursuit and recorded Travis McMichael fatally shooting Arbery. No arrests were made initially, but after Bryan’s video was leaked online, the case was taken over by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Arbery’s death became a focal point in discussions about racial injustice in the criminal legal system.
During the Georgia trial, defense attorneys argued that the pursuit of Arbery was justified because they believed he was a thief. Travis McMichael claimed he acted in self-defense when he shot Arbery, although no evidence was found to support the suspicion that Arbery had committed any crimes in the neighborhood.
Attorneys for the defendants are claiming that the jury’s verdict was influenced by prejudicial information and outside influences. They are presenting evidence from interviews with jurors that suggest the verdict was tainted in some way. Additionally, there are claims that Bryan’s trial attorney was ineffective and that important evidence related to Arbery’s past behavior was not allowed to be presented during the trial.
Judge Walmsley previously ruled that evidence of Arbery’s character was irrelevant to the murder case, as the defendants did not know him prior to the deadly chase. Seeking a new trial is the first step in challenging their murder convictions. The McMichaels were sentenced to life in prison without parole, while Bryan was given a chance of parole. The men were also convicted of federal hate crimes, with the jury concluding that they targeted Arbery because of his race.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is currently reviewing arguments to overturn the hate crimes verdict. The outcome of the federal appeals is still pending as the defense continues to challenge the convictions on various legal grounds. The case has sparked discussions around race, justice, and the need for reform within the criminal legal system. It remains to be seen how the court will respond to the defendants’ requests for a new trial.
