In Georgia, scores of protestors, including notable figures of the left such as Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, waited at the court for the verdict in the murder trial of Ahmaud Arbery. After a day-and-a-half of deliberation, the jury declared that the three men on trial were guilty of murder.
Travis McMichael, 35; his father, Gregory McMichael, 65; and their neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, 53, have all been found guilty of a number of different counts.
Travis McMichael has been declared guilty of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of false imprisonment, and criminal attempt to commit a felony. Gregory McMichael has been found guilty of felony murder and three other counts of federal hate crime charges that include attempted kidnapping, interference with rights, and carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
William Bryan, who recorded the killing, was found guilty of felony murder. He was acquitted on the charge of malice murder.
The sentencing of the three men will take place in the coming weeks, and until then, all will remain in the custody of the sheriff.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms released a statement saying that she was grateful for the verdict. She wrote, “I am grateful the jury has found the three men responsible for the senseless murder of Ahmaud Arbery guilty of their crimes. I am hopeful that this verdict gives Mr. Arbery’s family, and people across America, some level of comfort in knowing that these men are being held accountable for taking the life of an innocent young man.”
The jury was selected from a pool of 1,000 after more than two weeks back and forth. The panel consisted of nine men and three women, only one of whom was black – an issue that led to a challenge by the state.
