McMichaels Seek Bond, Quashing Of Charges In Ahmaud Arbery Killing

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Travis, left, and Gregory McMichael

Credit: Glynn County Sheriff's Office

The father and son charged with killing Ahmaud Arbery outside Brunswick in February are seeking bond, according to motions filed Thursday.

Attorneys for Gregory and Travis McMichael also filed special demurrers for two of the counts in the nine-count indictment. They are seeking to quash the charges of malice murder and criminal attempt to commit a felony.

Both men and the third suspect, William “Roddie” Bryan, pleaded not guilty at a hearing last month. At the same hearing, the judge denied Bryan’s request for bond.

The three suspects, who are white, are accused of following Arbery, who was Black, as he jogged through their neighborhood on Feb. 23. They said they suspected him of recent alleged break-ins.

Arbery’s family maintains he was simply out for a run.

The men allegedly pursued and attempted to corral Arbery with their pick-up trucks, according to testimony at a pre-trial hearing. 

Video recorded by Bryan shows Travis McMichael confronting Arbery with a shotgun. In the video, the two men fight briefly and three shots ring out before Arbery falls to the ground.

At last month’s arraignment hearing, in Glynn County Superior Court, the judge noted a trial date could not be set yet because of Georgia’s judicial state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.