Arbery supporters held prayers and marched outside the courthouse in Brunswick, the county seat of Glynn County, Georgia.
Defense attorneys say their client is trying to proceed with the arrest of a lawful citizen for Arbery, who they suspect is a thief.
Additional charges imposed against the defendants include aggravated assault, false imprisonment and attempted felony. If convicted, each man could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors cite inconsistencies from Travis McMichael
McMichael said in testimony Wednesday that he and his father met less than two weeks before the shooting with a Black man who was “walking through the dark” near a home being construct. Residents testified in court that a series of burglaries had occurred around the area prior to the shooting.
McMichael testified that on the day of the shooting, his father told him he had seen “the guy who rushed down the street.” Hopping into their van, Travis McMichael said they caught up with Arbery and tried to talk to him twice, but the person didn’t respond.
Finally pulling Arbery down the street, McMichael testified, he parked and exited, then pointed the shotgun at Arbery as he approached, telling him to stop. McMichael claims Arbery got to the truck, grabbed the rifle, and attacked McMichael before he shot Arbery.
McMichael responded that he was “scattered” and “chaotic” for a few hours after the shooting, because “it was the most traumatic event I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
McMichael also admitted on several occasions, under Dunikoski’s interrogation, that he had never seen Arbery armed in pursuit, had never heard Arbery verbally threaten him, and that Arbery had never been. respond or appear to want to talk to McMichael when he tries to ask what he’s doing.
Racial aspects went unnoticed
Satilla Shores, the neighborhood where the shooting took place, is located just outside the city limits of Brunswick. About 55% of Brunswick’s 16,200 residents are Black, compared with 40% are White, according to Census data.
Ben Crump, an attorney for Arbery’s father, said Arbery was “denied justice” and was very critical of the jury’s makeup, adding, “The jury should reflect the community,” he said. said on 4/11.
As the witness proceedings progressed, Gough repeatedly disparaged the presence of Black pastors in the public gallery who were there to support the Arbery family.
Walmsley has stated throughout the case that as long as there is no disruption from the gallery, no court action will be taken regarding attendance.
Bishop Jackson joined Arbery’s parents and sat in the gallery for the first time following Gough’s comments. On Thursday on the court steps, hundreds of Black ministers and pastors joined Sharpton in a vigil in support of Arbery’s parents and family.
“Our agenda is that the God we serve will strengthen this woman and this man and this family and the agenda that God will give us justice in this room. this trial,” Sharpton said at the outdoor meeting. “We didn’t come for an ulterior motive.”
CNN’s Christina Maxouris, Jason Hanna, Dakin Andone, Angela Barajas and Jason Morris contributed to this report.
