More information about the Ahmaud Arbery case has been revealed as it’s being reported that the incident is now being investigated as a federal hate crime. Back in February, Ahmaud Arbery was jogging in his Glynn County, Georgia neighborhood when he was chased down by two white men with guns. He was confronted on the road and murdered in the street. For months, his killers, father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael, respectively, went unarrested or charged with any crime. It wasn’t until a graphic video showing the violent incident was leaked to the public that the outcry forced the District Attorney’s office to take the two men—along with William Bryan, the man behind the camera—into custody.
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According to CBS News, the Arbery family’s legal team is also looking into why there was a delay in prosecuting the culprits involved. The McMichaels maintain their stance that Ahmaud was a suspect in a string of robberies in the neighborhood, yet, reports have stated that there were no thefts on record. Bryan claims that he was at home when he saw the McMichaels chasing Ahmaud down so he just decided to follow and record what he saw.
The McMichaels have been charged with murder, party to murder, and aggravated assault, while Bryan faces charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. Bryan has also stated in interviews that he had nothing to do with the crime and was afraid because he was receiving death threats. He further contended that he was just a witness.
Two DAs have recused themselves from the case after their personal relationships with Gregory McMichael, a former police officer, were called into question. The Department of Justice will investigate the attorneys, as well.
