The men responsible for the death of Ahmaud Arbery have received their verdicts. As the jury deliberated, many people rejoiced when they read their verdict allowed, “guilty.”
As USA Today reports, Travis McMichael was the man who fired three rounds at Arbery. He was found guilty on all nine counts which included malice murder and four counts of felony murder.
The Three Men Responsible for Ahmaud Arbery’s Tragic Murder Have Learned Their Fate
McMichael’s father, Gregory McMichael was found guilty of felony murder and other charges but found not guilty of malice murder. The third man, William “Roddie” Bryan, who recorded the video, was found guilty of three counts of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Before coming to these decisions, the jury deliberated for 10 hours. During the trial, prosecutors argued that the three defendants picked a dispute with Arbery, while the defense argued that they acted in self-defense after suspecting Arbery of burglary.
As they waited for the verdict, Arbery’s parents sat hand-in-hand with Reverend Al Sharpton while Arbery’s mother mouthed a prayer. The courtroom was filled with cheers and tears as the guilty verdicts were read aloud.
Arbery’s mom, Wanda Cooper-Jones, said, “We finally got justice.” Travis McMichael’s reaction consisted of him turning toward his mother and mouthing “love you” to her as she wept in silence.
As it has been reported, Ahmaud Arbery was shot while he was running in the Georgia neighborhood on February 23, 2020. Prior to his death, Arbery had not committed a crime as he attempted to flee the three men who were chasing him in a pickup truck.
Arbery was just 25 years old at the time of his murder. Following the guilty verdicts, Georgia governor Brian P. Kemp released this statement.
“Ahmaud Arbery was the victim of vigilantism that has no place in Georgia. As legal efforts continue to hold accountable all who may be responsible, we hope the Arbery family, the Brunswick community, our state, and those around the nation who have been following his case can now move forward down a path of healing and reconciliation.”
“I never thought this day would come—but God is good,” Ahmaud Arbery’s mother said in her first interview following the guilty verdicts. “I just want to say thank you to every single one of you who fought this fight with us.”
Prosecutors have not sought the death penalty in this case. The three men will receive their sentences at a later date.