Federal prosecutors weigh hate crime charges in Arbery death
This photo combo of images taken Thursday, May 7, 2020, and provided by the Glynn County Detention Center, in Georgia, show Gregory McMichael, left, and his son Travis McMichael. The two have been charged with murder in the February shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, whom they had pursued in a truck after spotting him running in their neighborhood. (Glynn County Detention Center via AP)
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — The Justice Department says federal prosecutors are assessing whether to bring hate crime charges in the slaying of a black man in Georgia.
Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot Feb. 23 after a pursuit by a white father and son who told police they thought he was a burglar.
Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael were arrested more than two months later and charged with felony murder.
Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in a statement Monday that the department’s Civil Rights Division and federal prosecutors in Georgia are looking at evidence to decide whether hate crime charges are warranted.
Georgia has no hate crime law allowing charges at the state level.
