GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — The jury selection resumes in the trial for the men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery. It is the third week in Glynn County.
[SPECIAL SECTION: Ahmaud Arbery murder case]
The judge is trying to find 12 unbiased jurors to decide if three men are guilty of murder. Arbery’s family calls the killing a racially-motivated attack. But defense lawyers disagree.
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“It’s a story about the McMichael’s trying to keep Mr. Arbery from coming closer to them while they are simply trying to watch and make observations,” said attorney Jason Sheffield.
More protests are expected this week. The sheriff has set up a “free speech zone” but so far no groups have used it.
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The actual trial is expected to last about three weeks, but the defense team said only about 40% of those summon are actually coming to court. They are concerned that might tip the scales of justice.
“Where’s the rest of the people?” defense lawyer Jason Sheffield asked Monday.
A thousand people were called in to potentially serve as jurors. But so many no-shows, defense attorneys wonder if they are getting a true representation of the population.
One defense attorney asked if there were enough “Bubbas or Joe Six Packs” in the jury pool -- meaning white men over 40.
Some jurors have already formed opinions. Juror 344 was convinced Arbery’s death was self-defense.
“I don’t see that they done anything right,” Juror 344 said.
Arbery’s family is eager to get the trial going.
“I think that we are getting closer to the number we need to start the trial,” his mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones said. “So I’m thankful for that.”
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