Jury seated in hate crimes trial in Ahmaud Arbery killing

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — A jury with three Black members has been seated in the federal hate crimes trial of three white men who were convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery. The Black jurors are among 12 people selected Monday to hear the case, along with four alternates.

The slain Black man’s father, Marcus Arbery, said he was “very pleased” with the racial makeup of the jury.

Opening statements in the trial were scheduled to begin Monday afternoon. This is the second time the Georgia port city of Brunswick has hosted a trial in Arbery’s killing.

The three white men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery were sentenced to life in prison, with a judge denying any chance of parole for the father and son who armed themselves and initiated the deadly pursuit of the 25-year-old Black man.

Greg and Travis McMichael grabbed guns and chased Arbery in a pickup truck after spotting him running in their neighborhood outside the Georgia port city of Brunswick.

Neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan joined the pursuit and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael blasting Arbery with a shotgun. Bryan was granted a chance of parole, but must first serve at least 30 years in prison.

A jury convicted all three defendants of murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and attempted false imprisonment in November.