Nearly All-White Jury Chosen in Black Jogger Murder Trial

BoomRadioNG | November 5, 2021

A nearly all-white jury, with one black member, has been seated in the Georgia murder trial of three white men over the shooting of a black jogger in 2020.

The judge noted the appearance of “intentional discrimination” in jury selection but said the trial over Ahmaud Arbery’s killing would proceed.

Last May, McMichael, his 34-year-old son and neighbor William Bryan – who filmed a video of the incident – were arrested. All three have denied all charges and any accusations of racism.

Ahmaud Arbery

Arbery was out on an afternoon run on February 23rd, 2020 when he was confronted by the McMichaels, who were armed with a pistol and shotgun. Lawyers for Arbery’s family have said he was unarmed at the time.

The father and son later told police they believed the jogger resembled the suspect in a series of alleged break-ins and accused Arbery of attacking the younger McMichael while they attempted to make a “citizen’s arrest”.

But prosecutors argue there was racial bias at play.

Opening arguments begin on Friday.

Paul Ayorinde