Veronica Waters
@MissVWaters
·
6m
Good morning, all. The arguments for directed verdicts of acquittal have been underway for some 90 minutes at the #AhmaudArbery shooting case, in a quiet gallery. They're now in a 10-minute recess.
Judge Timothy Walmsley
denies the motions for acquittal for Greg & Travis McMichael and Roddie Bryan in the #AhmaudArbery shooting case.
Defense attorney Jason Sheffield says they have informed client Travis McMichael of his rights and that he understands that he may choose to testify or not. Sheffield asks respectfully that the Court NOT ask him whether he plans to testify.
Judge swears in the three defendants. Now he's asking Travis McMichael questions to ensure he understands his rights.
Now, Judge Walmsley is doing the same with Greg McMichael.
Roddie Bryan's turn.
All three defendants in the #AhmaudArbery shooting case say that they have discussed their rights to testify with counsel. Now, Bryan atty Kevin Gough is noting someone who matches the description of local pastor Mark Baker is here
...or at least was yesterday, as was a white woman who's a rabbi. He's not clear if Baker is part of the community social justice group that's been planning to gather pastors. He notes Rev. Jesse Jackson is here again. He moves for a mistrial.
Defense atty Sheffield says they don't join the mistrial motion but because these visitors are part of a national conversation wanting convictions here, they should be made to watch the trial from another room so the jury can't see them, be reminded of that
ADA Dunikoski says it assumes facts not in evidence to think these jurors are aware of any "national conversation." Judge Walmsley denies the mistrial. He notes jurors were asked deeply about their backgrounds and views on things like Black Lives Matter.
Judge says he's confident that vetting has resulted in a panel willing to listen only to court evidence. He's ruled upon presence of individuals in court & isn't going over that again. He has restricted what people can wear--no political buttons, etc
Gough's 2nd motion is about documenting whether jurors have been contacted or exposed to outside influences. There are so many ways maybe the jurors aren't even aware of it, he says.
link:
https://twitter.com/MissVWaters
