Ahmaud Arbery case: What is next for Greg and Travis McMichael, William Bryan

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A jury in Georgia has found Greg McMichael, his son Travis McMichael and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan guilty in the death of Ahmaud Arbery.

What is next for the three men?

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Arbery was shot and killed on Feb. 23, 2020, while he was jogging. Prosecutors said Arbery’s death was racially motivated, while the defense said the three men suspected Arbery of burglarizing a home and were trying to hold him in a citizen’s arrest. They said Arbery was shot in self-defense in a struggle over Travis McMichael’s gun, WSB reported.

Travis McMichael was found guilty on all charges, including malice murder, four counts of felony murder and false imprisonment.

His father, Greg McMichael was found not guilty on one count of malice murder but was convicted of all other charges he faced, including four counts of felony murder.

McMichaels’ neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, also was found not guilty of malice murder, one count of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault, but was found guilty of three counts of felony murder and other charges.

Sentencing

Now that the verdict has been read, the next phase of the trial is sentencing for the three men.

When they are sentenced, they face a minimum penalty of life in prison on the murder convictions, The Associated Press reported. It could be with or without parole. If the sentence is life with parole, they must serve 30 years before they become eligible for release.

They also face a term of at least one year but no more than 20 years for the aggravated assault convictions, while false imprisonment can have a sentence of one to 10 years in prison, the AP reported.

Appeals

Appeals are expected in the case. A potential basis could be the exclusion of evidence, including the defense’s plan to introduce Arbery’s criminal record and the fact that he was on probation when he was killed. The judge ruled against the defense, the AP reported.

Federal hate crime charges

They also face federal hate crime charges, according to the Department of Justice.

A federal grand jury indicted the three men in April. Their federal trial is currently scheduled to start Feb. 7.

They are each charged with interference with civil rights and attempted kidnapping.

The McMichaels also face charges of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Federal authorities said the trio targeted Arbery because he was Black, the AP reported.

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