Ahmaud Arbery, a
25-year-old black man, was shot dead on February 23, 2020 during a
confrontation with two men — Gregory and Travis McMichael. Arbery’s death
sparked controversy as the police took over two months for the men to be
arrested. A neighbour, William Bryan, who filmed the killing was also arrested.

Also Read | ‘No more black pastors’: Attorney for white man on trial in Ahmaud Arbery case

How did
Ahmaud Arbery die?

25-year-old Ahmaud
Arbery was out for an afternoon jog in Brunswick. Gregory McMichael, a local
resident, told the police that Arbery resembled a suspect who he believed in a
series of local break-ins. Police, however, said no reports were filed with
regard to these alleged break-ins.

Also Read | Ahmaud Arbery was ‘trapped like a rat’ before slaying, defendant claims

Upon noticing
Arbery, Gregory and his son Travis armed themselves with a pistol and a shotgun
and followed Arbery in a pick-up truck through the neighbourhood.

Also Read | Ahmaud Arbery trial: Jury shown graphic police photos of the day of the killing

Gregory said
Arbery attacked his son while lawyers for Arbery’s family said he was unarmed.
Three gunshots were fired and Ahmaud Arbery fell to the ground. Post mortem showed
Arbery had two shots to his chest and a gunshot would on the inside of one of
his wrists. Police did not find alcohol or drugs in his system.

Who are the
accused?

Gregory, 64, and
Travis McMichael, 34, were arrested in May last year and face nine changes,
including murder and aggravated assault. Prosecutors say Travis McMichael
directed a racial epithet and expletive at Ahmaud Arbery while he was laying on
the ground.

How things
stand right now?

The lawyer for
Gregory McMichael said that the accused hopped onto their truck to pursue
Ahmaud Arbery for the purpose of detaining him long enough for the cops to come
and investigate whether Arbery had committed any crimes. “They turned from a
citizen’s arrest into self-defence,” the lawyer told BBC.

Also Read | Prosecutors, defendants paint contrasting portraits of Ahmaud Arbery

The case is
currently on its fourth prosecutor. Two local district attorneys had earlier recused
themselves due to professional connections to Gregory McMichael who is a former
police detective and a private investigator.