Suspects charged with murder of Ahmaud Arbery plead not guilty

GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — Three men charged with the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, who was killed in February while jogging through a Georgia neighborhood, entered not guilty pleas Friday in court, according to WSB-TV.

Travis McMichael, Greg McMichael and William “Roddie” Bryan pleaded not guilty to several charges, including malice and felony murder.

Arbery was slain Feb. 23 after the McMichaels armed themselves and pursued Arbery while the 25-year-old was jogging through the Satilla Shores neighborhood near Brunswick, Georgia.

Gregory McMichael, 64, told police he suspected Arbery was a burglar and that Arbery attacked his son, 34-year-old Travis McMichael, before being shot. Arbery’s family has said he was out for a jog.

Cellphone video of the incident captured by Bryan, 50, and leaked online sparked outrage nationwide in May, months after the killing. Two days later, officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested the McMichaels. Authorities apprehended Bryan on May 22.

During a preliminary hearing last month, GBI agents described the pursuit of Arbery as a game of “cat and mouse,” with the suspects using trucks to stop Arbery and box him in as he tried to escape from them. Investigators also said Travis McMichael used a racial slur while standing over Arbery’s body.

The McMichaels and Bryan are white. Arbery was Black.

Defense attorneys for both McMichaels have said much remains unknown about what led to the shooting and have cautioned against rushing to judgment. An attorney for Bryan has said he was merely a witness to Arbery’s death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group