Bryan attorney says Arbery lawyers endangering his client’s life
The attorney for William “Roddie” Bryan, who shot the 36-second video that prompted the GBI to launch an investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s death, said comments from the victim’s lawyers are putting his client’s life at risk.
“Please stop doing and saying things that endanger the lives of Roddie and his family,” Brunswick lawyer Kevin Gough told reporters at a late night press conference outside the Glynn County Courthouse. “Whether you realize it or not ya’ll have put a target on his back. He is unarmed and defenseless. He’s a sitting duck.”
» COMPLETE COVERAGE: The latest on the Ahmaud Arbery case
Gough singled out Benjamin Crump and Lee Merritt, who have publicly called for Bryan’s arrest.
When informed of Gough’s comments, Merritt noted that Bryan, 50, was identified in the police report of the Feb 23 shooting.
“I’ll stop calling for his arrest once he’s arrested,” Merritt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Greg McMichael -- charged, along with his son Travis McMichael, with felony murder and aggravated assault -- told a Glynn police officer that Bryan had tried to block Arbery “but was unsuccessful.”
Greg McMichael told police he thought Arbery was responsible for for a series of break-ins.
Gough insisted his client had no communication with the McMichaels the day of the shooting.
“If there was a lynch mob or posse, Mr. Bryan was unaware of it,” Gough said.
Gough said Bryan passed a lie detector, administered privately at his expense.
“We’re worried about him or his family being killed,” Gough said.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
