Coverage of the twists in the upcoming hate crimes trial of Ahmaud Arbery's killers captivated readers on SavannahNow.com this week. Here's what stories read this week:
McMichaels withdraw guilty pleas
On Friday in a hearing that lasted fewer than five minutes, the triggerman convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery in state court withdrew his guilty plea in a federal hate crimes trial set to start Monday. Earlier in the week, Travis McMichael, 35, pleaded guilty to a charge of interference with rights that would have given him a sentence of 30 years in federal prison to serve concurrently with his life-plus 20 years sentence in the state trial for Arbery's murder.
Credit: Stephen B. Morton, AP
Credit: Stephen B. Morton, AP
Travis’ father Gregory McMichael, 65, was expected to make the same plea, but in court filings late Thursday evening, the elder McMichael withdrew his plea agreement.
Jury selection begins at the federal courthouse in Brunswick on Monday.
Opening day for Enmarket Arena
Construction crews put the finishing touches on the Enmarket Arena ahead of the grand opening. The sports and entertainment venue is two decades in the making, with the first tax dollars going to it in 2003. The arena's first event, a concert featuring country music star Riley Green, is Sunday.
Alderwoman makes 2023 election plans
Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter announced her bid for Savannah mayor. She declared her intent to challenge for the post in the 2023 election following a contentious council meeting on Jan. 27 that ended with her colleagues stripping her of her council chair title.
Credit: Richard Burkhart for Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart for Savannah Morning News
Chatham DA still reviewing William Harvey case
Since the Georgia Bureau of Investigation closed its investigation into the April 2021 hanging death of William Harvey while in police custody last August, the case remains one of five still under review by the Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones.
Jones described the review process as intense and explained her office is waiting for a second opinion regarding evidence before deciding whether to prosecute the officers in the William Harvey case.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What you need to know from the week that was in Savannah news: Jan. 29-Feb. 5
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