Potential jurors showed up for the second day of court in a high-profile federal trial.
Jury selection began this week in the federal hate crime trial for the men who killed Ahmaud Arbery.
The judge in the case said Tuesday that they’ve “made great progress.” So far 44 potential jurors have passed the first round of questioning.
Channel 2′s Tony Thomas, who has covered Arbery’s death investigation from the beginning, is back in Brunswick to cover the federal trial.
Thomas watched as Arbery’s family sat in the courtroom Tuesday listening with growing confidence.
Marcus Arbery sat just a few feet away from his son’s convicted killers, listening as potential jurors in this federal hate crimes trial answered questions from the judge about what they knew of the case.
“The evidence is always overwhelming, so it doesn’t matter who they pick,” said Arbery’s father, Marcus Arbery Sr.
“Do you think it will be any tougher for a battle, this compared to last?” Thomas asked Arbery Sr.
“No. One thing the whole world knows about what’s going on and what they have done,” Arbery Sr. said of the killers.
Greg and Travis McMichael along with Roddie Bryan were already convicted of murdering Arbery.
RELATED STORIES:
- Jury selection begins in federal hate crimes trial of men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery
- ‘It’s disrespectful’: Ahmaud Arbery’s family begs judge to reject McMichael plea deal, judge agrees
- Federal judge rejects reach plea agreements for Greg and Travis McMichael
- Men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery sentenced to life in prison; 2 without parole
The key evidence, video taken by Bryan, showing the chase and shooting of the unarmed Arbery.
But the alleged motive behind the killing -- racial hate-- is at the center of this second case.
One potential juror Tuesday, voiced frustration saying, “If they are already convicted, I don’t know why they would have another trial.”
Another juror said she had very negative views of the defendants.
“I’m already going in with some preconceived ideas about it,” the potential juror said.
Those two were among the five excused by the judge Tuesday.
Another 13 people remained for more questioning next week.
The judge hopes to have a jury in place by Monday.
“All it takes is for them to see the evidence, that’s all they need,” Arbery’s aunt Diane Jackson said.
Neither defense attorneys nor prosecutors are talking publicly about the jury selection.
After plea deals fell through for the McMichaels, all three men are going to trial maintaining their innocence.
RELATED NEWS:
This browser does not support the video element.