Three men connected to the death of Black man Ahmaud Arbery have been indicted on federal hate crime charges. The United States Justice Department made the decision following months of protests and a demand for justice in his murder.
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Ahmaud Arbery Killers Charged
According to reports, a former cop and two other men now have to deal with the possibility of spending their lives behind bars. The trio are responsible for the 25-year-old Arbery’s death after he was fatally shot running in Georgia February 2020.
Former police officer Gregory McMichael, 65, his son Travis McMichael, 35, and William “Roddie” Bryan, 51, were each charged on Wednesday with interference with rights and attempted kidnapping. The McMichaels are also charged with using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The criminal case charging the three men in connection with Arbery’s death is the most significant civil rights prosecution undertaken by the Biden administration Justice Department to date. (The Guardian)
Rap artists like Royce Da 5’9 and T.I. have shared statements this week explaining why their Caucasian friends shouldn’t feel tension toward speaking out in support of the Black community.
Ahmaud Arbery’s Mom Files Lawsuit Alleging Cover-Up
On the anniversary of Arbery’s death, his mother filed a lawsuit against the now-charged murderers. Wanda Cooper, the mother of Ahmaud Arbery, sued her son’s killers — Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William Bryan — for damages including wrongful death and attorney’s fees. The lawsuit also accused police and prosecutors of trying to protect the defendants.
“For nearly three months, Glynn County police officers, the chief of police, and two prosecutors conspired to hide the circumstances surrounding Ahmaud’s death and to protect the men that murdered him,” the documents state.
JAY-Z + Roc Nation Issue Statement
In May 2020, music mogul JAY-Z and his Roc Nation team issued a statement on Ahmaud’s death. The hip-hop icon demanded justice for the Arbery family and reacted to two of the three suspects’ arrests.
“By now, we’ve all seen the crime’s disturbing video, so the facts here are not in doubt: He was unarmed and innocent and the victim of a hate crime. Which is why we call upon you today, as official leaders of the Great State of Georgia, and with the entire world watching, to ensure that a fair trial is conducted, as that can only lead to the appropriate felony convictions of both McMichaels. We also implore you to charge William Bryan as an armed accomplice to the crime.”
Arbery’s Killers Officially Indicted On Murder Charges
The three men connected to the slaying of Ahmaud Arbery were officially indicted on murder charges by a Georgia grand jury. The legal action came weeks after the men were finally placed behind bars for the February tragedy.
Gregory McMichael, 64, his son Travis McMichael, 34, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan, 50, all face allegations of malice and felony murder in the Feb. 23 death of Arbery. Arbery, 25, was fatally shot in the coastal city of Brunswick, Georgia, after he was pursued by the McMichaels. His family said he was out for a jog, while the McMichaels said they thought he was a burglary suspect. Bryan is accused of using his pickup truck in an attempt to box Arbery in. (NBC News)
