The three white men who were charged in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery pled not guilty today (July 17) in a Glynn County, Georgia courtroom.
Gregory McMichael, 64, his son, Travis McMichael, 34, and their neighbor William Bryan, 50 all played a role in the slaying of an unarmed black jogger, Ahmaud Arbery, 25.
Ahmaud was killed by Travis on February 23 after he and his father, Gregory, chased and hunted Ahmaud down in their truck and shot him while he was jogging. William joined the McMichaels and captured video footage of the horrible killing, which was leaked a few months later.
All three men say they were acting in self-defense but they were arrested in May, nearly 70 days after the shooting. Toward the end of June, they were charged with murder. The McMichaels were charged with murder and aggravated assault. William was charged with murder and attempt to illegally detain and confine.
Arbery’s lawyers reportedly accuse the Brunswick district attorney and Waycross district attorney of trying to protect the McMichaels because they have ties to law enforcement. It wasn’t until when Georgia state investigators took over and within 36 hours, they found enough evidence to file charges.
During court today, William’s defense team requested a bond to be set for his release. Ahmaud’s mom asked the courts to not let him go home.
“I am asking court to not allow him to go home..He did not allow my son to go home.”
“I am asking court to not allow him to go home..He did not allow my son to go home.”
The mother of #AhmaudArbery gives an impact statement in opposition to Bryan’s motion for bond saying he was unrepentant and dangerous..@CourtTV #HAPPENINGNOW pic.twitter.com/BS5nOcwAv3
— Chanley Shá Painter (@ChanleySPainter) July 17, 2020
#AhmaudArbery UPDATE:
Defendant William Bryan has moved for the removal of the prosecutor appointed by @Georgia_AG; a gag order of #WandaCooper and her attorneys; and requested a bond be set for his release.
The court is now considering the motions. pic.twitter.com/IQrbQwmuqc
— Lee Merritt (@MerrittForTexas) July 17, 2020
There’s another investigation on William for unrelated sex crimes, so hopefully, this sticks.
On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, the Glynn County Police Department requested that the GBI initiate a sex crimes investigation based on allegations made against William “Roddie” Bryan, Jr. The investigation is active and ongoing.
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) July 17, 2020
TRUE #JusticeForAhmaudArbery!