3 men involved in Ahmaud Arbery's killing found guilty of murder and other charges

[George II]

Source: CNN

Brunswick, Georgia (CNN)A jury Wednesday found three White men charged in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, guilty on multiple murder counts, as well as other charges.

The verdict, delivered by nine White men, two White women and one Black man, came after hours of deliberation spanning two days. It followed eight days of testimony, involving 23 witnesses.

The men each faced the same nine counts, and verdict were as follows:
• Travis McMichael, who fatally shot Arbery, is guilty on all charges: malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony;
• His father, Gregory McMichael, who rode armed in the bed of a pickup truck as his son pursued Arbery, is not guilty of malice murder but guilty on the other eight charges.
• And William "Roddie" Bryan Jr., a neighbor who joined the pursuit and filmed Arbery's final moments, is guilty of three counts of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/24/us/ahmaud-arbery-killing-trial-wednesday-jury-deliberations/index.html

[iluvtennis]

1. Thank you...been waiting all morning. n/t

[hlthe2b]

2. I'm feeling anxious...

Anyone else?

[George II]

3. Me too, seems too quick for all those charges and three separate defendants.

[PatSeg]

16. Apparently their guilt was pretty overwhelming

to those in the courtroom. It probably would have been even quicker except the charges for McMichael and Bryan were different. There could have been some disagreement there among the jurors.

[pnwmom]

57. I'm concerned about the guy who taped it on his phone being charged with murder,

the same as the others. Couldn't that discourage others from videotaping crimes they had any connection with?

[cstanleytech]

61. Accomplice's rarely create videos of their crimes already.

This guy apparently was one of the few moronic ones that actually decided to go against the grain and film it.

[lildDemz]

64. He was accused of striking Arbery with his truck.

He joined the pursuers to be "kidnapping" or preventing the victim's movement.

[pnwmom]

70. I realize that. But he might not have known that the "citizens arrest" was about to become

a murder.

And if his recording didn't exist, no one might be going to prison for the murder.

[lapfog_1]

94. if you drive someone to a bank robbery

and they kill someone inside the bank... you are guilty of murder even if you didn't know they had a gun. all that is required is that you knowingly participated in the bank robbery.

He trapped Aubrey by using his vehicle to run him down. He could have simply stayed home or called 911.

[pnwmom]

95. All that is true. I'm just worried that this verdict might mean someone else in the future

decides not to film an ongoing crime.

[lapfog_1]

96. my guess is that he thought "they caught a bad guy"

a black guy... and he wanted to post the video for the youtube hits it would get from people that like to see a black man "under citizens arrest" for whatever imagined crimes they thought Aubrey committed.

[pnwmom]

104. That's a reasonable guess. I'm still worried this will discourage more actual onlookers,

who watched the trial, and heard the claims, from videotaping anything.

[happy feet]

120. Your worry conflates different situations

An onlooker videoing a crime does not participate in the crime. You seem not to digest that he participated in the crime by chasing and trapping Arbery with his vehicle and felony murder for his participation in the murder. Onlookers don't participate in the crime. Apples and oranges.

[pnwmom]

122. That's all nice and logical but do you think everyone else is? If they listened to the defense side

of things -- which many people did -- then they'd have heard his attorney claim that he only thought they were making an arrest, not murdering anyone, and that once he realized they were up to no good, he pulled out his cell phone.

And haven't you ever heard of the FBI using informants, who did participate in crimes, to implicate people higher up the chain? Most people know this happens, and some potential informants might be disturbed that Bryan wasn't let off easier, since his phone provided the evidence.

[TexasBushwhacker]

85. He taped it to memorialize the event

when he should have been calling the police.

[wnylib]

72. What are you anxious about?

The justice system worked this time and I'm glad it did.

[hlthe2b]

73. If you look at the time of both mine and George's post, they occurred BEFORE THE VERDICTS

The entire thread was started BEFORE the verdicts and in fact the OP subject line was edited to reflect the verdicts AFTERWARDS.

[George II]

100. Unfortunately CNN has a constantly evolving headline and in many cases links when they do their.....

...."live updates". I've been told to update both as they change over the course of an hour or two.

I forget now, but I believe my original subject line was the first CNN "headline" at the bottom of their screen, which was that the jury reached a verdict.

Bottom line, they were found guilty on 23 of the total of 27 charges, and will each probably spend the rest of their lives in jail.

[hlthe2b]

101. Of course. I just hate that some are thinking you and I aren't happy/relieved about the verdict

because of comments made well before any verdicts were announced.

[George II]

102. Anyone can see the progression of edits by clicking "Thread Info" in the OP

The changes occurred over the course of 51 minutes.

Wed Nov 24, 2021, 01:25 PM - Original version with no edits. (Show)
Wed Nov 24, 2021, 01:26 PM - Unexplained edit. (Show)
Wed Nov 24, 2021, 01:29 PM - Unexplained edit. (Show)
Wed Nov 24, 2021, 01:32 PM - Unexplained edit. (Show)
Wed Nov 24, 2021, 01:43 PM - Unexplained edit. (Show)
Wed Nov 24, 2021, 01:46 PM - Unexplained edit. (Show)
Wed Nov 24, 2021, 01:53 PM - Unexplained edit. (Show)
Wed Nov 24, 2021, 02:16 PM - Unexplained edit. (Show)

[hlthe2b]

103. They don'tthough as evidenced by multiple people calling me on my pre-verdict comment.

This happens frequently with rapidly moving news stories. It has occasionally resulted in major misunderstandings that led to accusations, denunciations, and obviously a bunch of alerted posts.

Not sure why some don't realize that it is THEY who are coming late to a thread, but...

[ShazzieB]

109. I knew I was coming late, but when I see a news story on DU

I assume that all of the comments on the story are responding to THAT story, not some other previous version of the story. It would never occur to me that they aren't, or that I should carefully examine all the edits to the o.p. before responding or scrutinize the time when certain comments were made. I had NO idea that an o.p. might be drastically changed after people had started commenting, as seems to have happened here.

Furthermore, if I posted something earlier in a thread that is now moot because the o.p. is completely different from what I responded to, I would not be at all surprised to get comments expressing confusion. Once I realized what had happened, I would either edit my comment to add a disclaimer or delete it entirely.

What I would NOT do is complain that later posters didn't read my mind and immediately realize what I was REALLY responding to.

I have deleted my earlier comment that was made based on the above understanding, because I don't want to continue adding to the confusion.

[hlthe2b]

111. I'm sorry you were confused.

The OP, having changed their subject line to update to reflect the verdict received minutes later lead to that confusion.

This happens sometimes. So, I will simply self-delete in the future when a thread has been updated so much that my comment has become irrelevant. As you called me out for "complaining" about those reaming me for an innocent pre-verdict comment saying "I was anxious," I hope that that will satisfy you.

[hlthe2b]

121. Are you done trying to start a fight?

Just curious. It is REALLY uncalled for over a simple misunderstanding in a subthread in which you were not even involved.

[whathehell]

84. No, I'm feeling very good

in fact, I'm very close to tears..So glad to see justice done, so glad for his family.

[hlthe2b]

86. Once again, this entire OP was posted BEFORE the verdict, as was my (and George's first comments)

See the explanation already provided in post#73 made more than an hour and 20 minutes after the first, which came several minutes BEFORE the verdicts were handed down.

[whathehell]

92. Sorry, I didn't see it, and, in any case, meant no harm by my comment.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

4. You know they all want to be home for Thanksgiving!

[Ninga]

5. My tummy did an unexpected flip/flop. Yikes I'm nervous

[George II]

6. TRAVIS McMICHAEL GUILTY ON ALL NINE CHARGES!!

His father is guilty on 8 of the 9 charges.

[calimary]

99. LOVE IT-LOVE IT-LOVE IT!

In a way, we ALL got justice today!

[Mr.Bill]

7. Well,

Yee-Haw.

[UGADawg]

8. Guilty

Guilty

[George II]

11. Son guilty on 9 charges, father guilty on 8 charges, Bryan guilty on 6 charges...

...(if I counted correctly)

[FarPoint]

19. My hat is off to the Magnificent Prosecution attorney....

Linda Dunikoski.... A true professional...I am impressed and most grateful for her service.


Now for that racist blonde defense attorney....." See, your racist, dirty toenail comment left a lasting memory with me and this Jury"....Found your client guilty!

[George II]

24. She was amazing, and her rebuttal yesterday was unbelievable.

[FarPoint]

27. Ohhh yes....

I was in full attention....this closing and rebuttal should be a learning tool for future lawyers..... Masterful....

[hlthe2b]

38. Yes. and the judge was competent and professional as well.

[FarPoint]

50. Absolutely....

I felt comfortable with him as well....

[FoxNewsSucks]

51. No kidding.

What a difference that makes

[SergeStorms]

87. Isn't it nice....

to have a judge overseeing the case who didn't have his thumb pressed firmly on the scales of justice?

There's a certain judge in Wisconsin who would do well to study this.

[George II]

98. This judge and the one in Wisconsin are like day and night.

[Hav]

9. Hell yeah

Guilty verdicts coming in even for those who didn't shoot.

[FarPoint]

29. Oh yes....

They were all " team members"....

[electric_blue68]

10. Something good for justice!

[Upthevibe]

12. I'm watching now....

Thank you for the post....

[Kali]

14. good to see system work this time

what ugly depraved assholes

[dalton99a]

15. Kick

[bluestarone]

17. GREAT GREAT GREAT news!!!!

[RussBLib]

18. excellent news

justice!!!!

way to go, Georgia!!

[Demobrat]

20. Well thank goodness

those criminals are off the streets.

[LittleGirl]

21. Justice Served! Nt

[BumRushDaShow]

22. Good news. Breakings coming in now all over

[CrispyQ]

23. Something to be thankful for.

RIP Ahmaud Arbery

[Roc2020]

32. Indeed.

[Traildogbob]

33. My thought exactly

I will spend thanksgiving thankful of some hope for this country forward. Maybe more justice coming for trump et al.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

25. WaPo article on same

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/24/ahmaud-arbery-trial-verdict/

[Fla Dem]

48. Contains video of Judge reading the verdict. Video also posted on DU front page.

[RevBrotherThomas]

26. This is accountability.

Not justice.

Justice would be an alive Ahmaud Arbery.

But thank God all the same.

[KS Toronado]

28. Well the RWNJs have nothing to celebrate this time

unlike how they did after the kyle rottenmouse verdict. So they gonna hit the streets protesting
or go threaten the jurors?

[Roc2020]

30. It's sad I'm surprised

but very grateful for the verdict

[oldsoftie]

37. I didnt think the guy with the phone would be convicted.

But was kinda leaning towards convictions for the other two.

[Bengus81]

46. He was in on it just like the driver of the escape car in a bank robbery

He was found not guilty on three counts I think but will still do life.

[Mr.Bill]

79. The irony is that without his video,

possibly no one would have even been charged.

[Polybius]

126. How did the video get out anyway?

Because with out it, it might have been a different outcome.

[oldsoftie]

127. An atty released it because the rumors were WORSE than the reality

Tensions had been rising and the story was that a truck with guys in it flying a rebel flag shot him in the back from the truck. So he knew that wasnt true because he had seen the video

[barbtries]

31. how justice can fail so miserably

in one place and be served in another. this crazy country.

[CrispyQ]

56. A fit judge might have made a difference in the Rittenhouse case.

And this guy's been around for a long time. Makes you wonder how many other judges are on the bench that aren't fit.

[George II]

59. Right. I was watching both trials on and off - this judge, a white man in GEORGIA...

...was 10 time fairer than that idiot in Wisconsin.

I was very impressed with this judge's even handedness and fairness. He pretty much let both sides present their cases without much interference or direction.

And the prosecutor, Linda Dunikoski, was spectacular.

[Skittles]

118. video helps too

apparently some people NEED video to decide what is "reasonable"

[ancianita]

34. All headed for life without parole. Justice.

[hlthe2b]

35. Thank heavens!

[oldsoftie]

40. Doubtful. But we'll see.

I've seen murderers get 15 yrs. While a guy selling dope gets 30.

[Bengus81]

44. They'll get another life sentence in Federal Court in Feb

These guys are toast and will be lifers!!

[ancianita]

58. The minimum penalty is life; the only choice for the most lenient judge is with or without parole.

[jonstl08]

36. Yes

Was worried they would get off due to this being in the South.

[keithbvadu2]

39. Can the governor pardon them? Do Dotard and Jr say anything???

[oldsoftie]

43. Gov Kemp wont go NEAR this one. nt

[hlthe2b]

52. He'd be an unbelievable fool to touch it

[oldsoftie]

55. If anything, he'll give the standard "the jury has spoken.." statement

[Progressive Jones]

108. Hell, he'd be chased down the street by a mob that would ruin his day. nt

[sop]

63. Kemp was instrumental in having this case properly investigated and prosecuted.

On June 26, 2020, Kemp signed a hate crimes bill legislation, after more than a decade without one on the books. Kemp said the "vigilante-style" shooting of Arbery pushed the legislation's passage. (Disclaimer: I'm not a Kemp supporter)

[oldsoftie]

105. And the state drastically changed the "citizens arrest" law too. Bipartisan support

They jumped on both laws quickly

[RainCaster]

41. May they find humility within a diverse prison population

[RFCalifornia]

88. Nah they'll probably join Aryan Nations or PEN1

Two worst White Power Prison gangs

[Paladin]

42. Oh, hell yeah. (nt)

[PA_jen]

45. Thankful there i some justice. I was Truly afraid after Rittenhouse verdict.

[Mr.Bill]

47. Klan - 0,

100 Black Pastors - 3

[electric_blue68]

66. Ha! Nice 👍😄

[kellytore]

49. Tucker Carlson will have

to look for some new guests next week since these 3 will not be available.

[FoxNewsSucks]

53. Field Marshall Carlson will just ignore it

and keep tongue-bathing Kyle Slaughterhouse, and all of the "patriots" of 1/6.

Fuck him.

[electric_blue68]

69. Baahahahaaaaa!

[Johnny2X2X]

54. Do they still get to go to Mar A Lago?

Trump gets his photo op stop right?

[markbark]

62. Nahh....

TFG™ only likes people that win their cases

[orangecrush]

60. Holy shit

[wnylib]

65. Thank God that the jury was not

sold on that lame self-defense story.

Glad to see that the justice system still functions in some parts of the country.

[oldsoftie]

114. The prosecutor explained the Ga law very well.

You cant claim self defense in a situation YOU start

[wnylib]

115. GA law or not, that seems

self-evident to me. My first reaction when I heard the self defense excuse was, "Well, you wouldn't need to defend yourself if you weren't hunting down a man who was only defending himself from you."

Same as with baby Rottenhouse. He would not have feared for his life if he had not been strutting around with a gun as a vigilante pointing it at people.

[quakerboy]

68. Needed news

Its as close to a correct resolution of this case as I think is possible in a world where we cant go back in time and prevent murder.


Quick technical question. How can you have one murderer convicted of 3 counts of felony murder for one murder?

[onenote]

77. Separate felony murder charge linked to each of the other felonies

[greenjar_01]

91. Not the day for it, I know

But felony murder is an unjust charge and having three felony murder charges for each of several attached felonies is absurd and only happens in the United States. It's clownish.

Felony murder is most often used to send people of color to prison for decades, in any case. It's an element of the carceral state and should be aboished. Charge actual murderers with murder. Charge people for the crimes they commit.

[lillypaddle]

71. Yeah, that's the ticket!

Motherfuckers.

[edbermac]

74. There was a thread a few days ago wondering if we use the F-bomb too much here.

So all I have to say about the verdict is FUCK YEAH!

[MyMission]

76. May they rot in prison

For many years to come.

[spooky3]

78. Good job by the prosecution team. Nt

[Vinca]

80. These are the most just verdicts in recent memory. Arbery was hunted like an animal. Maybe

this will send a message that it's no okay to be a good ole' boy with a gun at the ready whenever you feel like using it. The prosecutor did a stellar job. I wish someone like that had represented the state in the trial that didn't go so well this week.

[nilram]

81. So relieved. I had to read the headline twice!

[Withywindle]

82. Glory Hallelujah!

Great news, and a huge relief. Thanks for posting!

[Bayard]

83. Thanks goodness!!

Its somewhat amazing to me that they were convicted for killing a black man in a southern state, while a white murderer goes free in a northern state.
Huge difference in judges.

[RFCalifornia]

89. Anyone know how the RWNJs are taking it?

[DonCoquixote]

90. YES

OK, this week was not a total loss

[LiberatedUSA]

93. Looks like they will be skipping Thanksgiving for...well ever.

[Marthe48]

97. I thought the only justice meted this yr. was for Mr. Floyd

Glad to see Mr. Arbery will have justice. It won't bring him back, but I hope this verdict makes his death matter, that vigilante whites will think before they shoot.

I pray for comfort for his family. All of this turmoil just brings back the keen loss they have.

[Red Mountain]

106. a small victory for civilization

over darkness

[myohmy2]

110. this...

...is what justice is supposed to look like...

...

[AdamGG]

112. Is there an explanation for why they're not being considered for the death penalty?

I'm not a fan of capital punishment, but Georgia currently has 39 people on death row. The prosecutor is asking for life without parole, but is there a reason they're not seeking the death penalty? If there is one, these guys qualify.

[in2herbs]

113. I wonder what color other than white they would find in these 3 men if there was a

deep dive into their roots, like the tv show Finding Your Roots. Imagine them spending the rest of their life in prison if they had some other than white roots in their genealogy. It would freak them out, I'd guess.

[Wolf Frankula]

116. I would have voted 'Guilty as Charged.'

Ahmaud Arbery was jogging. I understand he was unarmed and minding his own business when they molested him.

Wolf

[Skittles]

117. GEORGIA GETS IT RIGHT

apparently Wisconsin needs VIDEO to see what is "reasonable"

[cannabis_flower]

119. I have a question

I agree these guys are guilty but how can they have multiple murder charges when there was only one murder?

[The Jungle 1]

123. General population day one.

Now we must learn why it took months for these pukes to be arrested???

[The Jungle 1]

124. They would have walked in PA

Pa. law today!!
Title 18 b
(3) A private person who assists another private person in effecting an unlawful arrest, or who, not being summoned, assists a peace officer in effecting an unlawful arrest, is justified in using any force which he would be justified in using if the arrest were lawful, if:

(i) he believes the arrest is lawful; and

(ii) the arrest would be lawful if the facts were as he believes them to be.

That is law in PA.
Those three pukes would have gotten away with it in PA!!!!!!!!! They would have never been arrested. You just have to believe the arrest is lawful in Pa. to be able to use "any force". Think about that for a minute. I don't like my neighbor. You cut me off in traffic. You dented my car. You assaulted me. I believe you took my drill. Come with me if you don't I will shoot you.

[Kaleva]

125. However, shooting someone for trespass or burglary isn't justified.

" is justified in using any force which he would be justified in using if the arrest were lawful,"