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.
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.