"We don't want any more Black pastors" at trial for Ahmaud Arbery killing, defence says

An attorney for one of the three defendants in the murder trial for the killing of Ahmaud Arbery objected on Thursday to "more Black pastors coming in here," referring to the courtroom, after civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton was seen seated with the victim's family earlier in the court proceedings.

In making his objection on Thursday, attorney Kevin Gough, who represents William "Roddie" Bryan Jr., told Judge Timothy Walmsley "we want to keep politics out of this case," and suggested that the presence of figures like Sharpton or Jackson "could be consciously or unconsciously an attempt to pressure or influence the jury."

"We don't want any more Black pastors coming in here, Jesse Jackson, whoever, was in here earlier this week, sitting with the victim's family, trying to influence a jury in this case," he added.

The judge denied the motion and said he would not "blanketly exclude members of the public from this courtroom."

Gregory McMichael, 65; his son Travis McMichael, 35; and their neighbour William "Roddie" Bryan, 52, have pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated assault and false imprisonment after fatally shooting Arbery who was jogging on a Georgia road in 2020. They face life in prison if convicted of murder.

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