Governor Kemp calls for a review of the law on the arrest of citizens after the death of Ahmaud Arbery

Almost a year after Ahmaud Arbery was shot dead by a former Glynn County police officer and his son in a neighborhood in Glynn County, Governor Brian Kemp is asking the Georgia legislature to repeal a law on the arrest of citizens of Civil War era that was initially cited as a reason not to hold the killers to blame.

Ahmaud Arbery was running in the Satilla Shores neighborhood on February 23, when authorities said the unarmed 25-year-old black man was chased by Gregory and Travis McMichael and shot to death.

Kemp said on Tuesday that Arbery’s “horrible death” has shaken not only Brunswick, but communities across the state as well.

“Ahmaud was a victim of vigilante-style violence that has no place in Georgia,” said Kemp. “And some tried to justify the actions of their killers on the grounds that they had the protection of an outdated law that is ready for abuse.”

Ads

The Glynn County District Attorney passed jurisdiction over the case to Ware County District Attorney George Barnhill because Gregory McMichael used to work as an investigator for the Glynn County District Attorney and, earlier, the Glynn County Police Department.

A former prosecutor who examined Arbery’s case told police that the McMichaels acted within the scope of Georgia’s prisoner status and that Travis McMichael fired his weapon in self-defense. After Barnhill analyzed the case, he wrote: “We see no reason for an arrest.”

The McMichaels and a third man, William “Roddie” Bryan Jr., who is credited with chasing Arbery and recording videos of the murders on his cell phone, were not arrested until May, when the video was leaked to a radio station in southeastern Georgia and the public outcry over Arbery’s death spilled over.

Ads

The three men remain in prison pending trial on charges including manslaughter. They claim that Arbery was a suspect in theft and had “probable cause” to arrest him while he fled the neighborhood and acted in self-defense.

In most of the McMichaels’ court appearances in November, a bail request was denied after the judge heard testimony that Travis McMichael made a racial slur after shooting Arbery three times with a shotgun.

However, the video seems to show that Arbery was trying to avoid confrontation with the McMichael when the young man opened fire on him. Only after the first shot was fired did Arbery attempt to confront Travis McMichael, who was holding what appeared to be a shotgun.

Ads

The law states:

Kemp said the legislation is proposing to close “dangerous” loopholes in the statute and is supported by law enforcement agencies and civil rights groups.

The governor said police officers outside his jurisdiction and business owners would still have the power to “reasonably detain” offenders under the proposed law.

“Like legislation against hate crimes (which was passed by the Legislature last June), reforming the citizen’s prison status is, first of all, about who we are as a state,” said Kemp.

He said he will work with the leaders of both parties to ensure that the legislation is passed at this session.

The following statement was released on behalf of Arbery’s father’s family in response to Kemp’s request:

“We are pleased with the governor’s decisions to reform this statue and to repair gaps that could save someone else’s life. God is really working while things like this happen, we know more and more that Ahmaud’s death was not in vain. There is still work to be done. We still have to get justice for Ahmaud. “

Ads