A federal grand jury in Georgia found the three men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery guilty of all charges, including hate crime charges.
Greg McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan were convicted of murder and given life sentences in the state trial.
The federal hate crime trial centered on establishing that Ahmaud’s murder was driven by the three men’s racial bias and their animus toward Black people.
Jurors were presented with the men’s social media and messaging history that included videos and memes that appeared to show that the men held strong prejudices against Black people.
Neighbors and former coworkers also testified that the McMichaels made racist jokes, rants, and negative statements about Black people.
After a day of deliberation, a jury consisting of eight White people, three Black people, and one Hispanic person returned a guilty verdict on charges of interference with rights, attempted kidnapping, using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
My thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Ahmaud Arbery.
Source: NBC News
