On Tuesday, 12 jurors started deliberating the fate of three men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery in February 2020; this was an incident that sparked racial tensions all across the United States.
The verdict on this case has become even more significant with the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, an 18-year old boy found not guilty for shooting two men last year.
Ahmad Arbery murder trial has once again started the racial debate in the US
After a hectic 13-day trial, a jury composed of 11 white people and one black person will give its verdict on the killing of Ahmad Arbeury, a black man shot down by three white people last year in Georgia.
The defense attorney concluded her remarks on Monday, saying the act was triggered in self-defense. Travis McMichael, one of the accused, also claimed he fired his gun to defend himself from Arbery, who allegedly tried to attack him.
McMichael, Travis’s father, and his neighbor involved in the episode have pleaded not guilty to all the charges. These charges include murder, false imprisonment, and aggravated assault.
The defense lawyer of Travis McMichael blamed Arbery for his own death, adding the area of Satilla Shores is famous for crimes, and its residents are living in fear.
Likewise, the attorney added Travis is a former Coast Guardsman, who is well-trained in gun usage, so he was only protecting himself from the danger.
Ahmaud Arbery case: Defense accused of 'racism and bigotry' for 'toenails' comment in closing argumentshttps://t.co/fuM6yIWLgI
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 23, 2021
While the prosecutor did not pursue the racial angle much during the trial, federal authorities introduced this element in the case. The authorities say Arbery was killed, just because he was black.
Contrary to this, prosecutor Linda Dunikoski said McMichael, his father, and neighbor chased Arbery, ultimately killing him. She further added all three accused had no concrete evidence or knowledge of the event.
They merely acted based on rumors Arbery was a thief.
Prosecutor believes Arbery did not mean any harm to the defendants
Timothy Walmsley, a court judge, alerted the jury that the power for citizens’ arrest resides with people, but only if they see a crime committed or are well aware of it.
However, the judge noted arrests, in this case, should be made right after the crime has been committed. Therefore, if the person does not act immediately, they lose legal power for citizens’ arrest.
The defense lawyer, however, said the defendants had a right to confront Arbery, as they thought of him as a person regularly making a mess in the area well known for such crimes.
Dunikoski busted this notion the defendants were afraid of Arbery, saying they chased him with the truck for a long time, which signifies they were not threatened at all.
Likewise, she asserted the defendants had other options, including calling the cops, but they did not go that route.
Analysis: A Fox News host worries the Ahmaud Arbery killing could become a "racial situation" https://t.co/02RFANjvT6
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 9, 2020
The verdict has become a hot-button issue since the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse. As the jury finished deliberating on Tuesday, without reaching a conclusion, the court will convene once again on Wednesday morning.
