OPENING STATEMENTS: Greg McMichael's attorney offers his opening statement | COURT TV

THE KILLING OF AHMAUD ARBERY: The defense for #GregMcMichael followed that of his son in today’s opening statements.
Both McMichaels will likely rely build their defense around the claim that they were acting in self-defense when Arbery was killed.
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[@AlwayzFresh]

I do enjoy how much this attorney makes the point that all kinds of assumptions were made, then acted on. Almost like he defines the racist acts of his client perfectly. This moron is the wisest person Travis and his kind have ever met.

[@sigfan765]

Travis's attorney says he was only going to state facts not assumptions...then started making assumptions. I also noticed that they are not talking about the felony they should have witnessed that day.

[@dtrez3866]

Not "assumptions". Presumptions. There is a different. And that difference gave mcmichael immediate knowledge and reasonable suspicion when he saw ahmaud running by his yard. After seeing ahmaud in property, after making eye contact with ahmaud will on the property, ahmaud ducked and tried to hide and then ran off. So Greg's suspicion that ahmaud whom Greg recognized was potentially fleeing the scene of a felony which Greg had reasonable grounds to believe this based on Greg's immediate knowledge.

[@dtrez3866]

@@sigfan765 You don't have to "witness" felony. You just need reasonable grounds based on immediate knowledge to suspect the suspect is fleeing from the scene of a felony.

[@sigfan765]

@@dtrez3866 really? Where does it say that in the Ga statue concerning citizens arrest?

[@sigfan765]

@@dtrez3866 okay. So how can Greg McMichael claim reasonable grounds or immediate knowledge that Albery was fleeing the scene of a felony when he told police at the scene he didn't know where he was or what Albery did that day? He never said anything about citizens arrest. Besides that part of the statue pertains to "escaping or attempting to escape". In order to escape means you were caught committing a felony. If he committed a felony then it had to be in the presence of someone. None of that happened. Words mean things ESPECIALLY in court. I hate "word judo" but if I can do it the prosecution is going to whip their butts. Besides if the McMichael's did everything right then his lawyer shouldn't have to twist and shape the law so their actions can fit into it, right?

[@benjiarehart2878]

This lawyer sounds like he's reading a children's book to a group of students. "The first bed was too hard. The second bed was too soft. The third bed was juuuust right."

[@i.can.d]

😂😭

[@mtio2807]

True

[@ericaf2024]

😆😅

[@ericaf2024]

Well done Benji 👏🏻👏🏻

[@bozweig3351]

I keep seeing the page from 30 Rock

[@mileswashington4201]

This is what happens when you hire your girlfriends brothers cousins boyfriends mail mans weird uncle

[@BtheOutLIer]

😂

[@ericaf2024]

Dead 😆

[@suzyvp8968]

That Greg McMichaels chuckled when his “hauling a$$” statement was repeated for the jury tells you how arrogant he is about his behavior.

[@alisonhughes6476]

I thought that too

[@kerrib2568]

Time stamp? I agree, and the way Greg McM and Roddie recounted what happened on bodycam and later on in their statements were nearly *bragging* to the cops about how bad*ss they were while blocking him in many times, coordinating their movements (“trapped him like a rat!”) threatening (“stop or I’ll blow your f*cking head off!”). The arrogance is off the charts. That video was meant to be a trophy. Ps- cute cat 🐈‍⬛ lol

[@suzyvp8968]

@@kerrib2568 (her name Dottie von Spotty😊 thank you!) I fully agree. It’s like people who are the aggressor and then try to claim “Stand Your Ground” as a justification. These 3 animals had trucks and guns and were hunting a (insert racist crap here), not a person. They dehumanized that poor man in their minds so their “hunt” was a good thing. It’s disgusting.

[@faceymagee1283]

He hunted Arbery down and in cold blood helped murder an innocent man. He’s GUILTY

[@GrabinGears]

Absolutely

[@hollydavis06]

Time to lock him & his other two accomplices up and throw away the key

[@mtio2807]

We’ll see

[@John-kv7jo]

They tried to detain him because Ahmaud was a thief. He was by no means innocent. Any fair minded jury will acquit all three defendants.

[@hollydavis06]

@@John-kv7jo Last I checked, there’s no death penalty for robbery…and it’s usually against the law to kill someone who’s running away.

[@AliceA333]

Attorney said "Greg was absolutely afraid that Arberry was coming over to take his gun off him and KILL HIS SON...." UMMMMM.... you just said "Greg was absolutely sure Arberry was carrying a gun based on a swift movement to his pocket" So why would Greg think Arberry needs to steal his gun if Greg thought he was armed already, & could have just shot? AWFUL opening statement. He wants us to believe an unarmed black man in the South came charging at men with guns to disarm them 🤣🤣

[@mtio2807]

Different night. Keep up

[@AliceA333]

@@mtio2807 Uh... so they thought he usually carries a gun (which made him SCARIER) but he totally forgot to bring it with him that night? So while unarmed he charged armed men? I kept up.. with logic.

[@John-kv7jo]

Note that both shots only occurred when Ahmaud tried to wrestle the gun away from Travis. We understand why the McMichaels were armed because in an earlier confrontation Ahmaud went into his waistband to retrieve a possible weapon. This is a case of reasonable use of force in self defence. This trial will either result in an acquittal or a hung jury. I can't see the state proving murder.

[@AliceA333]

@@John-kv7jo they can't both "think he carried a weapon" and "think he was going to take their weapon to use on Greg's son". If their races were reversed, the last few holdouts for their guilt would finally vote guilty.

[@sigfan765]

If Albery was such a threat why chase him? Why get out of the truck? Why go in front of the truck to cut him off?

[@carmenalice3800]

This attorney is putting me to sleep.

[@brianvogelpohl]

Please tell me what the crime is going jogging in a neighborhood you dont live in? This is America. You can go anywhere you want. These men are guilty as hell. They had no business bothering the young man. If they had a problem call the police and let them handle it. I hope they rot in jail for life.

[@badgersandpackers5132]

Well said

[@MjMetalhead]

This is absolutely egregious claim… they will be judged. TWICE…

[@TheToonses1]

why didn’t the builder put a chain linked fence ,around the construction site, if he was so paranoid. These men took the law into their own hands and killed a man. Lock them up

[@goldengilmaky6788]

Can wait for the GBI investigator to tell the jury the remaining evidence he collected relative to the racist tone of the three defendants

[@raylemar2386]

There is absolutely no good reason why they chased a unarmed man and shot him down in cold blood.

[@mtio2807]

You live in a fairy tale world

[@John-kv7jo]

Didn't you watch the opening statement by the defence? Ahmaud was a thief who was seen multiple times at night in the open house. On an earlier occasion, when confronted by Travis McMichael, Ahmuad reached into his waistband as if to take out a weapon. This is the reason why the McMichael's were armed when they tried to detain Ahmaud. Note that only when Ahmaud went for Travis' shotgun were the shots fired. Everyone knows that you never go for anyone's weapons. This was foolish on the part of Ahmaud. If he had just remained till police arrived, he'd still be alive. Therefore any reasonable jury will find all three defendants not guilty.

[@sarahbishop3416]

@@John-kv7jo yea i just finished listening to defense opening statements they did a really good job.

[@PerryUK]

@@John-kv7jo So he thought Arbury was armed already, but simultaneously thought Arbury wanted to take his gun to shoot his son?🤔🤪

[@John-kv7jo]

@@PerryUK They took weapons to detain Ahmaud because from an earlier confrontation it seemed that Ahmaud was armed. Once again watch the video, Ahmaud is only shot when he tried to wrestle the gun away from Travis.

[@MsSarahJ56]

it does not matter what questions Greg had for anyone running through his neighborhood!

[@karenmariecraig5619]

I have to comment as I am about to scream. His attorney is trying to gain sympathy for his client having to ride in a car seat with his face against the windshield as it makes him some kind of hero. And then blaming Ahmaud for his own death because he didn’t stop when yelled to do so. Like they’re heroes who are keeping everyone in The neighborhood safe as they administer their own type of just. If this is all he’s got to offer then his, IMO client is as guilty as HELL!

[@GrabinGears]

Well said Karen

[@greggardner5015]

You’re right Karen , I don’t even know why he even mention it .

[@davidmcgunigal3653]

why was he there in the dark media makes out it is daylight when he is in the house probation probation equals run run run

[@Kushbhingi]

@@davidmcgunigal3653 you seem to have a better understanding of what he was doing in that house that warranted his death..what did he do??

[@kenn1936]

I could scream too!!! They are lying about all the so called robberies in the area. The police have already confirmed that there was only ever one report about a robbery in the area at that time - guess who reported it??? TRAVIS!! Travis was sooooo worried about all the crime in the area, that he left a gun in an UNLOCKED vehicle!! Who would leave their vehicle UNLOCKED if they really believed that there was someone out there stealing everything that was not locked down???? That is it!! BIG crime in the area!!! Pity they did not steal the shotgun!!!

[@Msmegan727]

Fearing for “His only son’s life” , whom was holding a shot gun …. 🙄 rite ….

[@AliceA333]

Seriously!!! Plus they "knew Arberry carries a gun from a swift movement to his pocket"... then why would he need to charge them & take theirs??? They chased a man they thought had a gun, putting his son at risk?

[@Gaylen2200]

BS!

[@altonallen3900]

I can only imagine, tug of war battle with a loaded shotgun would be an absolute nightmare....

[@einherjar8585]

What a pathetic argument.

[@ASparklingFlame]

Greg instigated the entire thing! If he wouldn't have ran in and told his son this wouldn't have happened. So he is just as guilty as his Son!

[@einherjar8585]

If this is their defense they are all guilty.

[@hollydavis06]

All 3 are going away for life

[@AliceA333]

Their lawyer should go to jail for that opening statement

[@mtio2807]

But it is not, and no they are not.

[@John-kv7jo]

All three defendants will be found not guilty by a fair minded jury. Listen to Travis McMichael's attorney's opening statement again.

[@hollydavis06]

@@John-kv7jo We’ll see how that comment ages.

[@300sl5]

Does anyone know why Roddie Bryan's Defender didn't made an Opening Statement ?

[@brendabright3587]

My heart breaks for the mother 💔💔 My God help her!!!!!!!!

[@mtio2807]

Travis mom?

[@ericaf2024]

@@mtio2807 no Ahmaud.

[@Gaylen2200]

Boat cushion, car seat drama. What a bunch of BS ! Fry their butts.

[@nancyfahey7518]

I'm starting to think that this house, under construction, should have had a fence around it. An attractive nuisance. Like a fence around a pool so a kid can't get in there and drown.

[@mtio2807]

Only children and mentally retarded individuals do not know NOT to enter private property.

[@nancyfahey7518]

@@mtio2807 i entered so many houses under construction. I'm watching Ken Karpentry and Lumnah Acres build a tiny house on 500 acres right now. It's fun. Also been watching Trent and Alley build a house 8,000' high in Utah.

[@alisonhughes6476]

How did roddie get involved ?? Did he randomly just follow them?? No.. it was planned

[@dwaynewilkins9864]

I believe Greg attorney loss this case for his client already... this opening statement.

[@mtio2807]

What?!?! Form a complete sentence please.

[@John-kv7jo]

Ahmaud was a thief. They tried to detain him but Ahmaud went for the shotgun. Shots were only fired when Ahmaud tried to wrestle the gun away from Travis. Any reasonable jury will find all three defendants not guilty on all charges. The men were only brought to trial to appease BLM.

[@dwaynewilkins9864]

@@John-kv7jo first of all there's a way to do things lawfully. Mind ur f'ing business. Now i know the racism is in the heart of a many of u ppl. Mr. Audrey stole nothing & done nothing that required grabbing guns & chasing him down. There's a confederate flag on the front of the murderers truck. We are not gonna skip that over. All 3 men racist & deserve ol' sparky... But don't u worry. The blk population in the prison system making plans for them ret now 😃😃😃.

[@dwaynewilkins9864]

@@John-kv7jo it obvious u think with a bias or prejudice mindset. Greg wasn't the perfect human being himself. Greg for years worked illegally arresting ppl without arrest powers & illegally as a p.i. for the DA office. Greg has had a privilege of impersonating as a officer after not being qualified to be or continue as one. He makes law enforcement untrustworthy & embarrassing. He retired a disgrace to law enforcement but privilege gave him a job that eventually pinned her own career the cross.😂. Greg is the one who should have been detained years ago for a # of illegal activities. Mr. Aubery would be alive today. Let real police do their job. What other racist narrative would u like to suggest now.

[@John-kv7jo]

@@dwaynewilkins9864 Ahmaud would be alive today if he didn't go for Travis' gun.

[@einherjar8585]

Guilty of running while black past armed, ignorant, murdering, racists.

[@carolempie114]

I hope these guys all go to jail for the rest of their lives! No loss to society. Nobody is judge, jury and EXECUTIONER.. Including this ‘lawyer’~

[@John-kv7jo]

They tried to detain Ahmaud. The shots were only fired after Ahmaud went for Travis' gun. All three should be found not guilty.

[@sigfan765]

@@John-kv7jo the defense showed you the definition of deadly force as pertains to self defense. They didn't show the entire law with the reasons you cannot claim self defense. Travis did not meet the criteria for self defense. It's not even close. Travis defended himself but by the law it's considered felony murder cause he did it while in commission of a felony. (Actually 4 or 5 felonies)

[@ericaf2024]

@@sigfan765 👏🏻👏🏻

[@John-kv7jo]

@@sigfan765 Travis was not committing a felony. Until recently, citizen's arrests were allowed. Therefore the McMichael's had grounds to detain Ahmaud on suspicion of burglary.

[@sigfan765]

@@John-kv7jo the law says felony committed in your presence. Did you watch the video? Greg McMichael told law enforcement he didn't know what crimes Albery committed that day.

[@MsSarahJ56]

he was right that this was the guy he suspected.... suspected of what?? oh you mean suspected of DOING NOTHING. Does Greg 'thinking someone is doing something unspecified' give him the authority to kill people?!?!?!?!? i love lawyers but i have a real hard time not hating lawyers making disgusting defenses - these men are just the grossest part of our society and now this lawyer is too.

[@bozweig3351]

While they figure out racism by debating the details surrounding a public lynching ill be at home not jogging ever again...

[@davidhaney1394]

"the guy he saw , was the guy he suspected" ,,,what the hell is that supposed to mean . He was suspected of ,.....NOTHING . Walking round an UNSECURED PROPERTY . why ? WHO KNOWS maybe he was into house contruction , maybe he was a little strange , either way , HE DIDNT DO ANYTHING WRONG , he broke nothing , took nothing , didn`t even leave a finger print from what I understand and they knew he was going in there and DID NOTHING TO SECURE THE PROPERTY !!! GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS !!!

[@dtrez3866]

It is not about whether ahmaud did anything. What is about is whether Greg had reasonable suspicion through immediate knowledge to warrant attempting a citizens arrest of a potential fleeing felon? If you listen carefully to both defense openings, I think you will see that answer is yes.

[@MatthewHarrisLawPLLC]

I had to check my YT settings to make sure I wasn't watching this video in half-speed. When giving an opening statement, you *have* to show passion for your client's position! Granted, this has nothing to do with the merits of the case, simply commenting on this trial strategy.

[@Mike-01234]

The look on Greg McMichael's face as his attorney tries to explain his actions you know he is thinking just how dumb this explanation sounds. I'm sure he feels bad now that he got his son involved in this he could have just called police like his neighbor did.

[@shawnnewell4541]

The defense is really desperate if this is their defense. It's not convincing in the least. Prosecution's arguments were more convincing.

[@suzyvp8968]

And why middle-aged defense attorneys adore their stupid pony-tails, I will NEVER understand.🤦‍♀️

[@YourUglygod]

To all the bright legal minds in the comments section, this opening statement was delivered pretty well.

[@brucesmith1544]

totally agree...much more to the point and better story teller than the prosecution. The fact the police asked them to get involved is key.

[@Blackbullet_racing]

Thank god for some sanity in the comments 🙏 I was loosing faith hearing all these far left fools parroting cnn talking points. Unfortunately I feel that the jury will find them guilty for fear of reprisals, just like in the floyd case. Not guilty and blm will burn the city to the ground.

[@badgersandpackers5132]

@@Blackbullet_racing I am not a lib, but I think we disagree about the case and these opening statements. Definitely wasn’t overwhelmed by the prosecution’s opening, although really all she has to do is show up. Have you checked out the Rittenhouse case? A lot of good comments there.

[@joeylynn1374]

How do we know if Ahmaud was actually "hauling ass"? We do know? Personally, I would consider most marathon runners as people that "haul ass" too.

[@BennySkyn]

I really hope the prosecution shows pictures of the confederate flag on the front bumper of those racist good ole boy's truck.

[@brucesmith1544]

The police de facto deputized him in that text...unfortunately he got his son involved

[@chuckdemorat1236]

Incredible narrative. “They” should never have been chasing Mr. Arbery armed, in the first place. I can’t imagine his mother listening to this crap.

[@brendataylor9276]

the McMichael’s were renters.

[@deontaylor1547]

They are soooooo going to jail for life lol. This attorney sucks.

[@Misssssysparkles]

does EACH Lawyer for each defendant do any opening statement ty aNYONE WHO ANSWERS- DEIEGO PEREZ THEY HAD ALL SEEN THE VIDEOS SO THEY KNEW HE WAS DOING NOTHING !!!!!! Sprinting is illegal wouldnt be sorta uncomfortable to run with a gun in his pocket

[@PBH82]

I’m no lawyer but I do know that no man in his right mind would run towards a man holding a shot gun. This is contributory negligence on the kids behalf. This is sad as hell.

[@AliceA333]

OMG!! This opening statement is getting worse. Just say your client has an evil twin & cross your fingers.

[@freedomrings5270]

Right now, I am just trying to vision Ahmaud's mom in the gallery having to listen to these lies via the defense attorneys. She has to be sick at her stomach knowing her son is gone and his mental state that day; pending the video of all that happens and then the body cams at the aftermath. Never did Greg/Travis/Bryan administer life-saving measures. She probably had to do like I did and fast forwarding these defense openings.

[@dogdriver70]

her son has a record

[@freedomrings5270]

@@dogdriver70 Mr. Sam, Since your reply is irrelevant to my statement, I will disregard. The statement is towards the mom of Arbery and showing empathy that any mother would feel if their child was taken from them. If you can not relate to the word empathy for this parent or any parent losing a child, then I suggest you take your response down another avenue where it is relevant.

[@dogdriver70]

@@freedomrings5270 well, you said she was hearing lies. shes sick because she knows its the truth being spoken.

[@dtrez3866]

Personally, I think the biggest lie in this entire thing is the lie that was told that ahmaud was "jogging". A lie that has come directly from ahmaud's mother.

[@jayrue4631]

Stand up for the lost tribe of Judah

[@jamessutton9874]

Old man Matt Albenz should be thankful, they could have charged him too. Oh yeah next time mind your business Gregg.

[@traceyknutson3989]

chased by your client

[@sandrabreedlove3661]

Oh well should of been out there being your smart attitude I'm here i own this part of the neighborhood you find out he's been this punk his whole life

[@alisonhughes6476]

So was arbury carrying a weapon when he was jogging in his sports gear ?? Was he armed ???

[@dtrez3866]

What was ahmaud wearing? You say ahmaud was wearing "sports gear", but who told you that?

[@alisonhughes6476]

@@dtrez3866 are you blind

[@dtrez3866]

@@alisonhughes6476 No I am not blind. Now answer my question, how do you know what ahmaud was wearing? Looks like he was wearing timberlands

[@alisonhughes6476]

@@dtrez3866 here is the answer white shirt tan pants TRAINERS 👟

[@dtrez3866]

@@alisonhughes6476 since when have "tan pants" been "sports gear"? Prove that the "tan pants" are actually sports gear and not just shorts.

[@ourrightsmatter154]

Bull Shit!🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@scottielee3756]

Maybehewassmokingdope!

[@einherjar8585]

Travis doesnt look the type.

[@yosheblack9300]

He's mentioning about the video that is not Ahmad Aubrey before this incident short dreads and a short haircut are two different things

[@meetupspeakup4161]

Wandering at night. running when he see a person. Walking in open yards without responding to anyone is the signs of a disability person . So, Here's a question: Was the black man disable However a trained person would know the difference

[@einherjar8585]

Like Ahmaud, I like to run. Depending on my schedule and the time of year, I run at night... and I dont talk to people... many times in my life I have walked through unsecured construction sites to see how its done... people made assumptions and murdered someone.

[@ms.demeanors]

As a runner, there's times I've ran at 5am and as late as 10pm. You run when u can. They say he only ran night but they can't say that. How do they know he didn't run during the day and did not go into the house under construction? He could have ran past during hours where people were working or not home. "Nobody in the neighborhood k ows him. Nobodys seen him before" doesn't mean he was never there.

[@einherjar8585]

@@ms.demeanors my best runs are after midnight when its cool and quiet. He looked like a trained runner in the vid. He was probably doing interval training when he sprinted past that bunch of racist thugs.

[@ms.demeanors]

@@einherjar8585 As good as hill training

[@ericaf2024]

@@einherjar8585 💯

[@scottielee3756]

Cantkill!

[@nancyfahey7518]

So who is this Greg Mcmicheal? He's not a retired cop or detective. Just what did he do at the police dept?

[@ginabrown4463]

Why does the Son look so mean?

[@dogdriver70]

Jogging at night

[@davidmcgunigal3653]

court tv host and guest show the facts he went into that house at night court tv has NEVER said that self defense and probation thats way he kept running as far as trapped my ass

[@mtio2807]

Bias. Look at the inflammatory headlines they use.

[@MikeyMikeHq]

Arbery was guilty

[@dominus1708]

but officer i had to shoot my kidnapping victim bc it tried to reach for my gun.

[@Dawn23244]

Of what? In any case, the death penalty W/out trial seems like a harsh sentence. They had "good reason to believe" -but no proof and no legal right to chase him down.

[@videophotographer1]

Guilty of running while black in a white neighborhood

[@tigerlilly9038]

Mike, sir. Stop. Please just please. stop.

[@marwanmarz9851]

Rest in peace Ahumad, those white supremacist murderers will get their dues! Condolences to him awesome mother, who brought this case to light (dea charged with cover up) and is sitting right there behind the killers as she hears and sees the Lynch mob chase her son and kill him in cold blood!