District Attorney Thomas Durden said on Tuesday he’s working to present evidence to a grand jury for criminal charges against men who chased, and fired to death, an unarmed black man, Ahmaud Arbery, whom they thought was a burglar, but was later said to be jogging according to the family.
Ahmaud Arbery, 25, a black boy was gunned down in Brunswick, a coastal city about midway between Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida, on February 23 while jogging through the quiet neighborhood of Satilla Shores.
“I am of the opinion that the case should be presented to the grand jury of Glynn County for consideration of criminal charges against those involved in the death of Mr. Arbery,” according to a statement by District Attorney Thomas Durden, based in Hinesville 70 miles away from the shooting scene.
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After two other prosecution offices withdrew from the case due to clash of interest, Durden picked up the case but has refused to make further statements aside from his written statement. Durden’s written statement did not state what charges he’s laying on the murderers of Ahmaud Arbery.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s unclear when exactly the matter will be heard, following the lockdown which made it impossible for courts in Georgia to hear any matter until June 12.
“I have no control over the suspensions due to the pandemic; however, I do intend to present the case to the next available grand jury in Glynn County,” Durden said.
Lee Merritt, a lawyer for the victim’s family, posted a brief video clip to Twitter on Tuesday that shows Ahmoud Arbery struggling with his murderers, which has prompted #JusticeForAhmaudArbery trending on Twitter.
The footage, which was reportedly captured by a motorist coming up to the scene has already gone viral on Twitter attracting users who’re insisting on Justice for the young black boy.
“The video clearly shows Mr. Arbery jogging down the road in the middle of the day,” Merritt said in a statement. “Mr. Arbery had not committed any crime and there was no reason for these men to believe they had the right to stop him with weapons or to use deadly force in furtherance of their unlawful attempted stop.”
Why isn’t JusticeForAhmaudArbery TRENDING?!? This Unarmed Black Boy was JOGGING and this Video shows him being Hunted Down by these White men, Shot & Killed. NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED since the white men claim they thought he was going to attack them. pic.twitter.com/DE3OKki1zG
— Daniel Newmaη (@DanielNewman) May 5, 2020
The men who chased down Arbery have been identified by police as Brunswick resident Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son Travis McMichael, 34.
The older McMichael, with his .357 Magnum and his son, with a shotgun, told police they thought Arbery was a burglar and chased him in their truck. After they caught up with Arbery, there was a deadly and irritating scene.
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“McMichael stated the unidentified male began to violently attack Travis and the two men then started fighting over the shotgun at which point Travis fired a shot and then a second later there was a second shot,” according to a Glynn County police report.
Ahmaud Arbery’s family revealed that their late son was a former high school football player, who jogged almost every day to keep fit.
