GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — A judge has denied bond for the father and son accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery as he jogged through a south Georgia neighborhood.
Greg and Travis McMichael were in court Thursday and Friday asking that they be released from jail. Both men have been indicted on nine charges, including malice murder.
Arbery was jogging through their neighborhood on Feb. 23 when the McMichaels and a neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan chased him down in a pickup truck and confronted him about recent burglary incidents in the area. As Arbery and Travis McMichael struggled in the street, Arbery was shot and killed.
The video spread across the internet and sparked outrage and a series of protests in Georgia and nationwide.
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Channel 2′s Tony Thomas is in Glynn County for the hearing, where it was an emotional day in court Friday.
As lawyers played the disturbing video of Arbery’s death in the courtroom, a member of the Arbery family broke down in tears. It was likely Arbery’s mother, who previously told Thomas she had not seen the video.
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Lawyers for Greg and Travis McMichael argued the South Georgia father and son should be out of jail, making the case that the McMichaels were good people and were not a flight risk. Prosecutors argued that they are racists and pose a threat, and that Greg McMichael was abusing his position as a former law enforcement officer and trying to influence the outcome of the trial.
“His ability to do that would increase if he were released,” a lawyer for the Arbery family said to reporters after the hearing. “So we are pleased with the decision.... These are men of low character who should remain behind bars."
Judge Tim Walmsley said the video was enough to keep the McMichaels in jail.
“The video tells me there is a significant risk of danger to the community,” Walmsley said.
Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, also talked to reporters outside of the courtroom.
“I’m relieved they will stay behind bars,” Cooper-Jones said. “Today was a good day.”
Cooper-Jones said that after seeing the video, she believes her son was confused.
“Ahmaud had no idea that he was under attack,” Cooper-Jones said.
