BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Defense attorneys for the three men accused of murder in the death of Ahmaud Arbery rested their case on Thursday following testimony from seven witnesses, including the man who shot and killed the 25-year-old last year.
Travis McMichael, the man who fired the shots that killed Arbery, took the stand on Wednesday as the defense team’s first witness. McMichael, his father Greg McMichael, and their neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, face murder and other charges in the Feb. 23, 2020 shooting of the 25-year-old in the Satilla Shores neighborhood outside Brunswick.
The three men contend they were trying to make a citizen’s arrest because they suspected Arbery of entering Larry English’s vacant home following a string of neighborhood break-ins. State prosecutors have said while Arbery was seen inside the unsecured home on several occasions, he never stole anything or damaged any property.
The state on Tuesday rested its case in chief after calling upon 23 witnesses to testify. Among the witnesses were numerous police officers who responded to the scene of the shooting and GBI agents who investigated Arbery’s death.
The defense resting marks the close of evidence and indicates no further testimony will be heard in the case. Closing arguments will begin on Monday.
