Trial set in slaying of Black Ga. man

SAVANNAH, Ga. — A Georgia judge Friday scheduled an October trial for three white men charged with murder in the slaying of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-yearold Black man who was chased and shot while running in the defendants’ neighborhood last year.

Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley issued a notice stating jury selection will begin Oct. 18.

Greg McMichael and his grown son, Travis, armed themselves and pursued Arbery in a pickup Feb. 23, 2020, just outside the port city of Brunswick, about 70 miles south of Savannah. A neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, joined the chase and took cellphone video of Travis McMichael shooting Arbery at close range.

Authorities didn’t bring charges in the case until more than two months later, when the video became public and sparked a national outcry over the case. They have been jailed without bail since their arrests.

“There is not one attorney in this case that wants it to be delayed any further,” said Jason Sheffield, one of Travis McMichael’s lawyers.

Sheffield and attorneys for the other defendants have said the men pursued Arbery, suspecting he was a burglar, after security cameras previously had recorded him entering a home under construction. They say Travis McMichael shot Arbery while fearing for his life as they grappled over a shotgun.

Prosecutors have said Arbery stole nothing and was merely out jogging when the McMichaels and Bryan chased him.

Each was indicted on state charges of malice murder and felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. Bryan and the McMichaels also face federal hate crimes charges.