Breakdown of Arbery killers’ prison sentences

Gregory and Travis McMichael, and William Bryan were given life sentences for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in February 2020. While the father and son are not eligible for parole, their neighbour – Bryan – will stand a chance only after he has served 30 years in prison.

Murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison under Georgia law unless prosecutors seek the death penalty, which they opted against for Arbery’s killing. For Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley, the main decision was whether to grant Greg and Travis McMichael and their neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, an eventual chance to earn parole.  

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All three men were also convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment

In addition to the life sentences for murder, Walmsley imposed additional sentences for other felony charges.

The additional sentences are:

Travis McMichael, 35: Additional imprisonment sentences of 20 years for McMichael’s aggravated assault conviction and five years for his criminal attempt to commit a felony conviction.

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The additional sentences will be served concurrent to each other but consecutive to the life sentence, totaling a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 20 additional years in prison.

Gregory McMichael: Additional imprisonment sentences of 20 years for McMichael’s aggravated assault conviction, 10 years for his false imprisonment conviction, and five years for his criminal attempt to commit a felony conviction.

The additional sentences will be served concurrent to each other but consecutive to the life sentence, totaling a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 20 additional years in prison.

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William “Roddie” Bryan Jr.: Additional imprisonment sentences of 10 years for his false imprisonment conviction and five years for his criminal attempt to commit a felony conviction.

The additional sentence totaling 15 years will be suspended, resulting in a total sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.