Travis McMichael is testifying in his own defense during Ahmaud Arbery’s February 2020 murder trial on Thursday, with lead prosecutor Linda Dunikoski questioning him.
NS prosecute resolved its case on Tuesday.
“I wanted to give the side of the story,” McMichael said Wednesday, telling the court he wanted to explain what happened from his point of view.
McMichael is one of three defendants in the case; All are facing murder charges.
What fees does McMichael face?
A grand jury found Gregory and Travis McMichael and William Bryan on nine counts in Georgia State Court, including felony murder, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment.
The June 2020 indictment alleges the men used their pickup to chase and assault Arbery before killing him with a 12-round shotgun.
Who are the defendants in the case?
Gregory McMichael, 65, has worked in law enforcement for decades, including a long stint as an investigator for the district attorney’s office in Brunswick. After spotting Arbery, McMichael then alerted the police, who grabbed his .357 Magnum pistol and tell his son, “Travis, the guy’s running down the street. Let’s go.”
Travis McMichael, 35, fatally shot Arbery with a 12-round shotgun after chasing him in his Ford F-150 pickup. He is a former member of the Coast Guard.
William “Roddie” BryanThe 52-year-old neighbor jumped out of his Chevrolet Silverado pickup to help chase Arbery. He used his cell phone to record the final moments of the confrontation.
Ten weeks have passed between Arbery’s death and the first arrest in the case, after a video of the murder was made public.
Who are the judges, prosecutors and defenders?
Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley is presiding over the trial in Glynn County Court. The Eastern Judicial Circuit judge was brought to the case after all five judges in the Brunswick Judiciary were retrial. Walmsley was appointed to the bench in February 2012.
Chief Prosecutor Linda Dunikoski is a senior assistant district attorney in Cobb County, outside of Atlanta. She has in charge of the case in April, after two local prosecutors re-offended themselves.
Defense Attorney Kevin Gough of Brunswick has represented Bryan since his arrest. Attorney Jessica Burton of Atlanta was also on Bryan’s defensive team.
Defense Attorney Robert Rubin and Jason Sheffield representing Travis McMichael. They come from the same Atlanta-area law firm.
Laura’s defense attorney and Franklin Hogue, who is married, represents Greg McMichael. They are based in Macon, Ga., where they have dealt with many death cases in the past.
Along with the state charges, a federal grand jury prosecuted McMichaels and Bryan on hate crimes charges in April.
Federal charges also include attempting to kidnap Arbery, and McMichaels is charged with using a firearm in a violent crime. A February trial date has been set for those charges.
