BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A family spokesperson says the new evidence being presented in the hate crimes trial for the men convicted of the killing of Ahmaud Arbery is “shocking.”
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Channel 2′s Tony Thomas traveled back to Brunswick for a federal hearing.
The three men already face mandatory life sentences for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. This federal trial will focus on potential hate crimes in the killing of the unarmed Black man.
After weeks of evidence in the state trial, Thomas asked Arbery’s father and spokesperson if they expect to hear any new evidence this time around.
“Yes, the evidence is different, and I think we will hear some things that will be shocking,” said Barbara Arnwine from the Transformative Justice Coalition.
Thomas asked Arnwine what new evidence she expects to see.
“Facebook postings. Statements that were made. Some videos that we haven’t seen yet,” she said.
Federal judge Lisa Godbey Wood has set the federal hate crimes trial for Feb. 7. In a short hearing Monday, where cameras were banned, she said 1000 Georgians from across 43 counties would be called as potential jurors.
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Greg McMichael and his son Travis sat quietly in suits listening to the rulings. Co-defendant Roddie Bryan wore bright orange jailhouse clothes.
A state jury last month found all three men guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery. Only Travis McMichael took the stand in his own defense.
“I shot him. He had my gun. It was obvious he was attacking,” Travis McMichael said on the stand.
The men claimed they were trying to stop the unarmed jogger and hold him for police because they thought he was a thief. The jury didn’t buy the self-defense claims. All three men have entered not guilty pleas in the federal trial, too.
Other than closing arguments there was no mention of Arbery dying because of his race in the state trial. That will be the focus of the federal trial next month.
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Thomas asked Ahmaud’s father, Marcus Arbery, if it was harder or easier after the convictions.
“It’s hard to say because when you are used to seeing your child on every holiday, if you haven’t been there you ain’t feeling my pain,” Marcus Arbery said.
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