There’s only one Black person on the jury in Ahmaud Arbery’s killing

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.