Controversy Over Hate Crime Convictions in Ahmaud Arbery Case Sparks Appeals Court Debate

Attorneys representing three men are challenging convictions related to the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, arguing that there is no evidence of racially motivated intent to harm him.

Chase and Killing of Ahmaud Arbery

The incident occurred on February 23, 2020, when Greg and Travis McMichael, along with neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan, chased and fatally shot Arbery in a Georgia subdivision.

Appeals Court Arguments

The U.S. appeals court in Atlanta is set to hear oral arguments in the case. The defendants' lawyers claim that past racist remarks made by the men do not demonstrate a racist intent to harm Arbery.

Evidence Presented

Legal briefs filed ahead of the appeals court arguments cited prosecutors' use of social media posts, text messages, and witness testimony showing the men using racist slurs or disparaging Black people. The defense argues that this evidence does not prove that Arbery was targeted because of his race.

The defense lawyers are also basing their appeal on legal technicalities, questioning the definition of public roads and challenging the attempted kidnapping convictions.

The trial judge sentenced both McMichaels to life in prison for their hate crime convictions, with additional time for other charges. Bryan received a 35-year prison sentence. The defendants are currently serving life sentences in Georgia state prisons for murder.

If the U.S. appeals court overturns any of their federal convictions, the defendants would remain in prison, as they are serving life sentences in Georgia state prisons for murder.