Political Rewind: McMichael plea deal denied; Fulton DA seeks FBI help; HBCU bomb threats

Caption

Spelman College and two other Georgia-based HBCUs received bomb threats this week — among others across the nation.

The Panel 

Emma Hurt— Reporter, Axios Atlanta

Steve Fennessy — Host, Georgia Today podcast for Georgia Public Broadcasting

Tamar Hallerman — Senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tia Mitchell — Washington correspondent, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Breakdown 

1.  Federal judge rejects plea agreement for man convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery

• In February 2020, three white men, Greg and Travis McMichael and their neighbor William "Rodie" Bryant, chased Ahmaud Arbery down, shot and killed him. 
• All three were convicted of Arbery's murder in a state court in November 2021.
  • The McMichaels were sentenced to life in prison without parole. 
  • The shooter, Travis McMichael, wanted to enter a plea deal on federal hate crime charges, in hopes of being transferred to federal prison. 
  • Monday, Judge Lisa Godbey Wood denied that plea, siding with Arbery's parents.
• Wood told McMichael and his lawyers they have until Friday to decide to return to his not guilty plea.

• Jury selection in this federal trial is slated to begin next Monday, Feb. 7.

2. Fulton County DA investigating former President Trump asks FBI for security help

• Last year, Fani Willis launched an investigation to see if Trump had any improper influence in the 2020 presidential election. 
• At a rally over the weekend, the former president highlighted the investigations happening in Atlanta. 

• Following those remarks, Willis asked the FBI for help with security. 

3. Bomb threats at several HBCUs around the country and state

• This week, three Georgia-based historically Black colleges and universities were targeted. 
• Atlanta-based Spelman College reported no bombs were found on campus after a thorough search Tuesday. This is the second bomb threat for the women's college in less than a month.

• Also on Tuesday, Fort Valley State University told students and staff not to report to campus after a bomb threat was called in there. 
• Albany State University reported a bomb threat on Monday. 

4. Will GOP candidate Vernon Jones end his bid for governor of Georgia?

• The Democrat-turned-Republican could lead the GOP primary race to a runoff. 
• A recent Quinnipiac University poll shows Jones winning about 10% of support in the GOP primary. The same poll shows Perdue trailing Kemp by 7% points. 

5. Bill supporting constitutional carry to be heard in Senate Judiciary Committee today 

• Today, the State Senate's Judiciary Committee will hear SB 319, a bill that will allow permitless firearm carry in Georgia. 
  • The bill is sponsored by State Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas.
  • Right now, Georgians who want to carry an handgun must get a license, pass a background check and pay a $75 fine, among other measures, to obtain a gun. 
  • Gov. Kemp has made permitless-carry one of his top goals this legislative session.

Tomorrow on Political Rewind:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Greg Bluestein joins the panel.