A Georgia judge ,Timothy Walmsley, has ended down sentences in the conviction of the three men found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery while the 25-year-old jogged in a south Georgia neighborhood handing down the harshest sentence available under Georgia law for at least two of the convicted murderers.
Travis McMichael received life plus 20 years without the possibility of parole.
Michael Mathis also received life plus 20 years without the possibility of parole.
Rodney Bryant who joined the hunt for Arbery and video taped the incident was also convicted of felony murder and received life plus ten years with the possibility of parole.
Judge Walmsley focused on the facts and circumstances surrounding the case, as he delivered pre-sentencing remarks negating the defenses claims that the defendants were in any way protecting their community and their neighbors, saying they “showed their worst chrachter.
In a dramatic demonstration of how the tragic events unfolded, the judge set silently for one minute to emphasize the fraction of the time as well as “the terror” that Arbery spent fighting for his life. during the five minute exchange that ended his life.
The sentences were handed down at 3 p.m. today, Friday, Nov. 7, 2022.
“Please give all three defendants who are responsible for the death of my son the maximum punishment in this court, which I do believe is behind bars without the possible chance for parole,” Wanda Cooper-Jones said on Friday at the sentencing of the three men who shot dead her son.
During the victim’s impact statements for consideration in the sentencing portion of the case today, Wanda Cooper-Jones, Ahmaud Arbery referenced the shameful remarks from defense attorney Laure Hogue for making “beyond rude” remarks about her late son’s toenails.
“Turning Ahmaud Arbery into a victim after the choices he made, does not reflect the reality of what brought Ahmaud Arbery to Satilla Shores in his khaki shorts, with no socks to cover his long, dirty toenails,” Hogue said in her closing arguments on Nov. 22.
“I wish he would have cut and cleaned his toenails that day. I guess he would have if he had known that he was going to be killed that day,” said Cooper-Jones.
Other Arbery family members delivered emotional and moving addresses to the court, pleading for he maximum sentences.
“The man who killed my son sits in this courtroom every day next father,” emphasizing that was not possible for him.
Reading about Black trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. These additional resources are also available:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The National Alliance on Mental Illness 1-800-950-6264
The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001