Social Justice
There’s Only One Black Person On The Jury In Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing
Only one Black person will serve as a juror in the trial of three white men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery on Feb 23, 2020 while he was jogging

After a long and contentious jury selection process in preparation for the trial for Ahmaud Arbery’s killing in Brunswick, GA, a panel of 12 people was chosen Wednesday.
Only one Black person will serve as a juror in the trial of three white men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery on Feb 23, 2020 while he was jogging, although the judge overseeing the case said there appeared to be “intentional discrimination” in jury selection.
Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing Case
Attorneys for Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan Jr. on Wednesday removed 11 of the 12 Black panelists being considered for the jury, prompting prosecutors to ask Judge Timothy Walmsley to reseat eight of them.
Walmsley denied their request to reseat, citing state law, but acknowledged racial overtones in the case.
“This court has found that there appears to be intentional discrimination,” Walmsley said.
Jury Selection
Prosecutors argued the Black panelists were removed from the jury pool simply because of their race.
“This court has found that there appears to be intentional discrimination on the panel,” the judge said, “but that doesn’t mean the court has the authority to reseat simply because we have this prima facie case.”
This shocking move will ensure the three men accused of killing Arbery, father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael and family friend William Roddie Bryan Jr, will face a mostly all white jury.
Of the 16 total jurors selected — including the four alternates — there are five men and 11 women, reports CNN.
Wednesday’s decision also means the three men will face a jury whose racial makeup will differ significantly from their community in Brunswick, GA where 26% of residents are Black.
Wanda Cooper-Jones, Arbery’s mother, said as she left the courthouse Wednesday she was “shocked” there was only one Black juror.
“I mean, that was devastating,” she said.
Arbery’s death, and the delay of local authorities in charging the three men, prompted widespread protests in 2020 after a video of the shooting was released.
All three have pleaded not guilty.
Discover more from Unheard Voices Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
Black And Missing1 week ago
Morehouse College student Kyle Coleman found dead after Virginia crash
-
Culture4 days ago
Brooklyn community rallies behind beloved shoe shiner Byron Neal known as “The Light on the Corner”
-
Black And Missing5 days ago
Search continues for missing 10-year-old Arkansas girl swept away in Florida waters
-
Beauty & Fashion6 days ago
Young mother dies after cosmetic surgery complications
-
Culture2 weeks ago
Exclusive : South Carolina sneak preview of ‘40 ACRES’ at Saloma Acres in Blythewood
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks ago
One dead after shooting during concert on Long Branch, New Jersey beach
-
Crime & Justice1 week ago
Outrage grows over brutal attack on teen at California concert
-
Social Justice1 week ago
Flavor Flav offers aid after devastating St. Louis tornado