Convicted Murderer Greg McMichael Withdraws Guilty Plea in Ahmaud Arbery Hate Crime Case
02:12 GMT 04.02.2022 (Updated: 16:30 GMT 08.12.2022)
© AP Photo / OCTAVIO JONESDefendant Gregory McMichael looks on during his trial along with and his son, Travis McMichael, and a neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, in the February 2020 slaying of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, on Nov. 19, 2021, at the Glynn County Courthouse in Brunswick, Ga.
© AP Photo / OCTAVIO JONES
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Earlier this week, US District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood rejected federal prosecutors' proposed plea agreement with Greg and Travis McMichael, the father and son convicted of murdering 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery on February 23, 2020. The McMichaels were given until Friday to determine whether they intend to plead guilty.
Gregory McMichael, 66, will move ahead with the federal hate crimes trial after canceling his portion of a plea agreement with US prosecutors, according to a new court filing.
BREAKING: Gregory McMichael/DOJ have canceled their plea agreement in relation to the #AhmaudArbery murder.
— Pilar Melendez (@pbmelendez) February 4, 2022
That means that he will move forward with the federal hate crimes trial. Travis McMichael has not changed his plea, but does have a pre-trial hearing Friday morning. pic.twitter.com/LAbWlpCiNv
Travis McMichael. 36, is still scheduled to appear in court on Friday for a plea hearing.
William "Roddie" Bryan, the third man convicted in Arbery's death, will also face hate crime charges that allege that Arbery, who was Black, was racially targeted by the white men.
Last month, all three men were sentenced to life in prison for their respective roles in the 2020 murder.
The reversal comes days after a US District Court judge rejected the terms of a proposed plea deal that was vehemently opposed by Arbery's parents.
The 25-year-old's graphic murder was captured by Bryan, who joined the McMichaels in pursuing Arbery as he was jogging for exercise through the Satilla Shores neighborhood on February 23, 2020.
After catching up to Arbery with their pickup truck, Travis McMichael exited the vehicle with a shotgun, prompting a brief struggle between him and Arbery, who was fatally shot moments later.
Jury selection for the federal hate crime case is set to begin on Monday.