‘It’s Really Raw’: Arbery’s Dad Talks Trauma From Trial, Video of Son’s Death

By Alyssa Wilson Published: October 21, 2021

‘It’s Really Raw’: Arbery’s Dad Talks Trauma From Trial, Video of Son’s Death

People listen to speakers in Atlanta before driving down to Brunswick. Ga. for a rally to protest the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, Saturday, May 16, 2020. (Steve Schaefer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

In Summary

Marcus Arbery Sr. said his family is experiencing trauma as the trial is set to begin for the men accused of killing his son, and he hopes the "right jury" is selected.

WARNING – This story contains details of violence. Resources for those triggered by this content can be found here.

As the jury selection process continues in the trial for Ahmaud Arbery’s accused killers, Arbery’s father said his family is experiencing trauma and he hopes the right jury is selected.

Marcus Arbery Sr. said his focus is on getting justice for his son, who was shot and killed by father-and-son duo Gregory and Travis McMichael. The two are accused of chasing Arbery in a pickup truck in the Satilla Shores neighborhood of Brunswick, Georgia, in February 2020 while he was jogging.

They reportedly shot him at close range, killing him. William “Roddie” Bryan Jr. is also on trial for joining the chase and recording the incident on a cellphone.

Arbery Sr. spoke to CNN about the trial and the jury selection process. “I’m just praying to God we get the right jury,” he said. “It’s still emotional for my family because it’s a raw trauma. You know, to watch my son get lynched like that by three White men, ran him down and lynched him like that. It’s really raw.”

Video of Arbery’s death is expected to play a key role in the trial. “This video is so compelling …that regardless of how they want to try to reference it, you know that race was a motivating factor,” family attorney Ben Crump said.

The trial needs 12 jurors and four alternates. According to CNN, a group of 19 potential jurors spoke to the judge on Wednesday. Of that group, 11 of them said they had already formed or expressed an opinion about the case. Additionally, when the 19 were asked if they wanted to serve on the jury, no one acknowledged their desire.

The McMichaels and Bryan Jr. are facing charges of malice and felony murder. They are also facing federal hate crime and attempted kidnapping charges.

Arbery Sr. wants the men to get life in prison so that the Black community can move forward. “Black people can heal,” he said. “Black people are not going to heal when this stuff keeps going on.”

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by this story, resources are available here.  