Men Convicted in Ahmaud Arbery’s Murder Sentenced to Life in Prison

The three men found guilty for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery — a 25-year-old Black man who was killed February 23, 2020, while jogging in Georgia — have been sentenced.

On Friday, Judge Timothy Walmsley sentenced Travis McMichael and his father Gregory McMichael to life in prison plus an additional 20 years, without the possibility of parole.

Their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole.

“I’ve read somewhere, and I don’t remember where it was, that at a minimum, Ahmaud Arbery’s death should force us to consider expanding our definition of what a neighbor may be and how we treat them,” Judge Walmsley said about the sentencing. “I argue that maybe a neighbor is more than the people who just own property around your house. I believe that assuming the worst in others, we show our worst character.”

Prior to the judge’s ruling, family members of Ahmaud spoke out and asked the court to impose the maximum sentence for the three men.

In an emotional message to her son, Ahmaud’s mother Wanda Cooper-Jones said in a statement, “This verdict doesn’t bring you back, but it does help bring closure to this very difficult chapter of my life.

“I made a promise to you the day I laid you to rest: I told you I loved you, and some day, somehow, I would get you justice. Son, I love you as much today as I did the day you were born. Raising you was the honor of my life, and I’m very proud of you.”

Wanda later said in her victim impact statement, “These men have chosen to lie and attack my son and his surviving family. They each have no remorse and do not deserve any leniency.”

Ahmaud’s sister Jasmine Arbery also gave a speech where she remembered her brother as funny and energetic.

“Ahmaud had dark skin that glistened in the sunlight like gold. He had thick, coily hair and he would often like to twist it. Ahmaud had a broad nose... He was tall with an athletic build. He enjoyed running and had an appreciation for being outdoors,” she said.

“These are the qualities that made these men assume that Ahmaud was a dangerous criminal and chase him with guns drawn. To me, those qualities reflect a young man full of life and energy, who looked like me, and the people I love,” Jasmine continued, adding, “Ahmaud had a future that was taken from him in an instance of violence.”

On November 24 of last year, it was revealed that a jury found each defendant guilty of Ahmaud’s murder following 12 hours of deliberation spanning over two days.

While Travis — who allegedly fired three shots from a shotgun at Ahmaud — was found guilty of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault (with a firearm and with a pickup truck), false imprisonment, and criminal attempt to commit a felony (false imprisonment), Gregory — who allegedly watched the shooting while standing in the bed of a pickup truck — was found guilty of four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault (with a firearm and with a pickup truck), false imprisonment, and criminal attempt to commit a felony (false imprisonment). Gregory, however, was found not guilty of malice murder.

William — who filmed the incident on his cell phone, and according to Gregory, “attempted to block” Ahmaud as he ran — was found guilty of three counts of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault (with a pickup truck), false imprisonment, and criminal attempt to commit a felony (false imprisonment). He was found not guilty of malice murder, not guilty of one count of felony murder, and not guilty of one count of aggravated assault (with a firearm).

Per their lawyers, Travis and Gregory were justified in pursuing Ahmaud because they suspected he was a burglar. Attorneys also argued that Travis acted in self-defense after Ahmaud allegedly tried to wrestle his shotgun away.

However, in June of last year, an investigator testified that he found no evidence that Ahmaud stole anything from a construction site he walked through before he was shot and killed.