Veronica Waters
@MissVWaters
·
2h
#AhmaudArbery shooting case: Matthew Albenze, who's lived in Satilla Shores a little over 30 years. He's a neighbor of Greg McMichael; they haven't socialized at each other's homes. Same with Travis. Friendly conversation in driveways about trucks boats, fishing.
He didn't know #AhmaudArbery, and hadn't ever seen him before 2.23.2020. The home under construction is at end of his block. This is a shot sort of from his driveway looking at Larry English's property--the pen is pointing at it.
That day, he was splitting wood when he looked up and saw #AhmaudArbery standing at that house. No bag or backpack. "Just standing there looking around." He recalled English's video of someone who looked like that on his dock. Albenze grabbed his phone and his gun.
Albenze saw someone moving around in the English house, so he called the main -7800 number to police. Why didn't he dial 911?, State asks. "I didn't see an emergency," he says. #AhmaudArbery @wsbradio
They are playing the call for jurors.
Albenze stood behind an oak; he couldn't see what #AhmaudArbery was doing in there. Doesn't know why Arbery ran out. He walked back to his house then. He made some "There he goes" motion but wasn't trying to communicate w/anyone in particular, he says .
Albenze says at no time did he contact Greg or Travis McMichael or communicate with them in any way. "After a few minutes, I heard gunshots--3." Got my bicycle, road around the corner. "I saw a police car...saw Mr. #AhmaudArbery lying on the street...saw Greg and Travis there".
"It was a shocking scene, you know," Albenze says. Later that day, Glynn Co. police came to see him. He doesn't remember much about that. He'd had several cocktails by that time.
Travis McMichael atty Bob Rubin begins cross-exam. Albenze says yes, he'd rather be somewhere else. Rubin asks, This has been difficult for you? Caused you problems b/c you called police? Concerns at work/about neighborhood, personal attacks/phone calls?
Rubin: That's put you in a difficult spot? Albenze: Not really difficult, but a spot I'm not used to.
Rubin: Even though this property was open and unsecured, Larry English wasn't inviting people over, was he? Did he say this male was authorized to be on the dock? Not that Albenze knows, no.
Rubin: On your call, you tell police this man has been to the house multiple times? Albenze: That may have been heat of the moment; someone who looks like him is what I meant to say. Rubin: He looked like guy in videos? Albenze: Yes.
Rubin: You told police, He's been caught on camera a bunch before at night. It's kind of an ongoing thing out here? Albenze: It had been. Can't say it's that guy; someone who fits that description.
Albenze says he can't speak to Larry English's state of mind over someone not being caught. "Nobody's happy when somebody snoops around their stuff." Rubin: Right.
Albenze says he was aware of property crimes in Satilla Shores in 2019-20. Rubin: Did you tell GBI you're aware of the guy back at the house & everyone's aware? A: "Neighbors talk...were probably aware there were break-ins" Don't know if they knew of English's house .
Albenze knew some things had been stolen from English's boat: electronics and Yeti cooler. Were you at that house the night police were there on Feb 11? "I went down to see what was going on." See Travis? I think he was there. Greg? Don't remember.
When you first saw #AhmaudArbery, he wasn't tying a shoe, catching his breath. "Just standing around," Albenze replies. You didn't know if he was armed. You grabbed your phone and your 9mm, for your protection. You didn't know what was going on. A: Nope
Rubin: You call police; suspected he saw you & that's why he took off running? Albenze: IDK. R: That's what you told Diego Perez. A: OK. You told the GBI that & you felt some guilt over that? A: I did. I felt like if he hadn't seen me maybe he wouldn't have run away
Rubin: You felt like you put into motion these events that turned tragic and it still weighs heavy on your heart? Albenze: Yes.
Albenze said he doesn't recall if he saw #AhmaudArbery duck down in the house. Roddie Bryan's lawyer Jessica Burton gets up for cross. Says, you might know my co-counsel Mr. Gough. Albenze says he's helped clean trees from yard after hurricane once.
Albenze says he hadn't spoken with/seen Roddie Bryan for several years before 2/23 incident. State re-direct: You were aware English suspected contractors of theft? A: He thought it was a possibility. Neighbors also talked about suspecting homeless guy was behind thefts? IDK
link:
https://twitter.com/MissVWaters
I think I'll stick with this tweeter - seems to have more info than others.