Today a jury in Brunswick, Georgia, found Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael and William Bryan guilty of federal hate crimes for their involvement in the death of Ahmaud Arbery.

Arbery was an African American man who was murdered on Feb. 23, 2020, while jogging in a suburban neighborhood in Georgia.

While Arbery was jogging, Gregory McMichael saw Arbery go through a construction site. Gregory McMichael claimed he suspected Arbery was responsible for the recent break-ins in the neighborhood since Arbery jogged through the site before.

Gregory McMichael, his son Travis McMichael and their neighbor William Bryan chased Arbery around the neighborhood trying to stop him. Travis McMichael shot Arbery three times, once in the hand and twice in the chest. The final shot to the chest is what resulted in Arbery’s death. 

On Feb. 3, the McMichaels attempted to get a plea deal that would have them both serve 30 years. The judge denied the plea after listening to the concerns of Arbery’s family.

After two years of ongoing trial, the three men were found guilty of federal hate crimes. Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. William Bryan will serve life in prison with the possibility of parole.  

Assistant to the Editor Janiyah Gaston can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @DEJaniyah. To stay up to date with all your Southern Illinois news follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.

Advertisement