The three men charged with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black jogger in Georgia, has pleaded not guilty on Friday morning.
As previously reported, the 25-year-old was killed on Feb. 23 just outside of Brunswick, Georgia, after he was chased by the men while he was jogging.
Gregory McMichael, his son, Travis, and William Bryan were all indicted in June, which consisted of nine felony charges for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
According to reports they are each facing 1 count of malice murder, 4 counts felony murder, 2 counts aggravated assault, 1 count false imprisonment and 1 count criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment.
TMZ Reports:
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Bryan’s attorney submitted a list of more than 50 questions for potential jurors to answer … including: “What in your opinion is the principal cause of crime in America today?”
Another question … “What steps do you think people who are frightened about crime should take to protect themselves?” as well as “Have you ever heard the statement, he looks like a cirminal? If yes, do you think that if someone ‘looks like a criminal’ they are probably guilty if they are arrested for a crime? Why/why not?”
Bryan’s attorney wants everyone examined separately and privately, claiming there are “sensitive and potentially embarrassing questions exploring the prospective juror’s bias and prejudice, especially with respect to matters of race.”
Then there’s this … Bryan’s attorneys also want to inspect all of Arbery’s probation docs, any medical or mental health records, any juvenile court records, any DCFS records and any board of education records.
The issue of citizens arrest was also brought up in docs … Bryan’s attorney claims there was enough evidence to establish probable cause that Arbery had committed the offense of criminal attempt to commit burglary. According to the docs, this allowed McMichael to attempt a citizens arrest and then, when Arbery fought back, to defend himself.
Bryan’s attorney also argues someone running in an attempted burglary case allows you to presume criminal intent … and he notes that Arbery was running. Bryan’s attorney also claims Arbery knew he was a convicted felon on probation for shoplifting … so an objective observer would have reason to believe he was trying to commit a burglary when he ran from the house.
The 3 defendants have been in custody since their arrests in May, and last appeared in court in early June for a probable cause hearing … where a judge concluded there’s enough evidence to move forward with the case.
We will keep you all updated as this story continues to develop.
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