Ahmaud Arbery case: The charges each defendant was convicted of
All three defendants faced the same nine charges in the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Here are the charges and the jury’s decision:
Travis McMichael
1. Malice murder – GUILTY
2. Felony murder – GUILTY
3. Felony murder – GUILTY
4. Felony murder – GUILTY
5. Felony murder – GUILTY
6. Aggravated assault – GUILTY
7. Aggravated assault – GUILTY
8. False imprisonment – GUILTY
9. Criminal attempt to commit a felony – GUILTY
Greg McMichael
1. Malice murder – NOT GUILTY
2. Felony murder – GUILTY
3. Felony murder – GUILTY
4. Felony murder – GUILTY
5. Felony murder – GUILTY
6. Aggravated assault – GUILTY
7. Aggravated assault – GUILTY
8. False imprisonment – GUILTY
9. Criminal attempt to commit a felony – GUILTY
William “Roddie” Bryan
1. Malice murder – NOT GUILTY
2. Felony murder – NOT GUILTY
3. Felony murder – GUILTY
4. Felony murder – GUILTY
5. Felony murder – GUILTY
6. Aggravated assault – NOT GUILTY
7. Aggravated assault – GUILTY
8. False imprisonment – GUILTY
9. Criminal attempt to commit a felony – GUILTY
What are malice murder and felony murder?
Malice Murder: An intentional murder that is willful and premeditated.
Felony Murder: A killing that occurs during the commission or attempted commission of a felony. Intent is not necessary. In this case, the underlying felonies were aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Federal charges are pending
The McMichaels and Bryan also face federal hate crime charges in Arbery’s death. U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood has set a trial date of Feb. 7. A federal grand jury indicted the three men on one count each of interference with civil rights and attempted kidnapping. The McMichaels are also charged with using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime.
Federal prosecutors allege that the men “used force and threats of force to intimidate and interfere with Arbery’s right to use a public street because of his race.”
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
