“While the guilty verdicts reflect our justice system doing its job, that alone is not enough. In a statement, President Joe Biden said Arbery’s killing was a “devastating reminder” of how much more work the country has to do in the fight for racial justice. Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley did not immediately schedule a sentencing date, saying that he wanted to give both sides time to prepare. They are sorry for the tragedy that happened because of the choices they made to go out there and try to stop him.”īryan’s attorney, Kevin Gough, said his team was “disappointed with the verdict, but we respect it.” He planned to file new legal motions after Thanksgiving. “I can tell you honestly, these men are sorry for what happened to Ahmaud Arbery,” attorney Jason Sheffield said. But they also said the McMichaels regret that Arbery got killed. Travis McMichaels’ attorneys said both he and his father feel that they did the right thing, and that they believed the video would help their case. But God is good,” she said, adding that her son would now rest in peace. Speaking outside the courthouse, Ben Crump, attorney for Arbery’s father, repeatedly said that “the spirit of Ahmaud defeated the lynch mob.”Īrbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, thanked the crowd gathered for the verdict and said she did not think she would see this day. Greg McMichael, 65, hung his head when the judge read his first guilty verdict. After the verdicts were read, as he stood to leave, he mouthed “love you” to his mother in the courtroom gallery. At one point, he lowered his head to his chest. Travis McMichael, 35, stood for the verdict, his lawyer’s arm around his shoulder. And when you present the truth to people and they see it, they will do the right thing.” Prosecutor Linda Dunikoski added: “The jury system works in this country. 23, 2020, to Ahmaud Arbery - the hunting and killing of Ahmaud Arbery - it was not only morally wrong but legally wrong, and we are thankful for that,” said Latonia Hines, Cobb County executive assistant district attorney. “We commend the courage and bravery of this jury to say that what happened on Feb. But the prosecution argued that the men provoked the fatal confrontation and that there was no evidence Arbery committed any crimes in the neighborhood. The father and son told police they suspected Arbery was a fleeing burglar. Bryan joined the pursuit in his own pickup and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael fatally shooting Arbery. The McMichaels grabbed guns and jumped in a pickup truck to pursue the 25-year-old Arbery after seeing him running outside the Georgia port city of Brunswick. The jury deliberated for about 10 hours before convicting Greg McMichael, son Travis McMichael and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan. Outside the courthouse, dozens of Black supporters hugged and cried. “He didn’t do nothing but run and dream,” Marcus Arbery Sr. At the reading of the last criminal count, Arbery’s mother dropped her head and quietly pumped her fists. As the first of 23 guilty verdicts were read, Arbery’s father had to leave the courtroom after leaping up and shouting.