Christian Response to Brunswick GA trial

[Rev. Edward Engelbrecht]

Sounds like the right outcome. They should not have chased him down and caused physical confrontation. Leave that to the pros who have the calling to do so.

[James_Gale]

The other "showcase" trial is over.
All three defendants were convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery. Arbery was a black man whom  they chased because he was running through their neighborhood. He was unarmed. The defendants, all white, were not. They claimed self-defense, presumably because of a brief struggle with Arbery. They claimed to be making a "citizens arrest" though the incident did not meet the standards for that under Georgia law.
I think Georgia mandates a life sentence in cases like this.

The only question, I believe, is whether to leave open a possibility decades down the road for parole.

[D. Engebretson]

One thing that seemed to be repeatedly highlighted by some media was that the jury was all white with the exception of one black man.  It seemed assumed that this was going to be a factor in their decision.  I hope that their decision lays to rest that a predominantly white jury will not automatically rule based on their race. 

[Dave Benke]

Having also witnessed very little of this trial myself, I decided to check both NBC and FOX for how the verdict was presented.  Both have been resolutely in favor of the verdict, and both excoriated the racial overtones of the defense team in detailing the bare feet and long toenails of a man running for his life as they attempted to persuade the jury not to see him as a victim.  Also the elimination of the "citizen's arrest" law and the high potential for penalties and charges to be brought against the justice leaders in the county who were not going to prefer charges against the eventual defendants are signs that the needle has moved in the system of justice in that state.

Dave Benke

[Charles Austin]

Pastor. Engebretson:
One thing that seemed to be repeatedly highlighted by some media was that the jury was all white with the exception of one black man.  It seemed assumed that this was going to be a factor in their decision.
Me:
No, the commentaries I heard made these remarks because they were pointing out that the make-up of the jury did not reflect the make-up of that community.

[peter_speckhard]

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/kevindowneyjr/2021/11/23/ax-wielding-antifa-member-attacks-gop-senators-office-dems-give-him-money-fbi-returns-ax-n1535869

Here is one with overt partisan overtones. But apparently it is not going to trial.

[D. Engebretson]

Pastor. Engebretson:
One thing that seemed to be repeatedly highlighted by some media was that the jury was all white with the exception of one black man.  It seemed assumed that this was going to be a factor in their decision.
Me:
No, the commentaries I heard made these remarks because they were pointing out that the make-up of the jury did not reflect the make-up of that community.

Initially, when they were trying to establish the makeup of the jury, there was an accusation that the exclusion of some potential black members was due to race.  The attorney for Ahmaud Arbery's mother felt that defense lawyers had "created a jury that was more favorable for their defendants, an almost entirely white jury."  It was also noted that in Glynn County, where Arbery was killed and the trial is being held, Black people account for nearly 27% of the population of 85,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The judge said 25% of the pool from which the final jury was chosen was Black.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ahmaud-arbery-trial-jurors-racial-makeup/

In another article from USA Today it was noted:
The final panel selected in the trial over Ahmaud Arbery's death consists of 12 jurors: Nine white women, two white men and one Black man – a demographic makeup that has drawn scrutiny in a case several public figures have called a "lynching." Three others – two white women and a white man – served as alternates.

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2021/11/07/ahmaud-arbery-trial-jury-what-we-know/6269841001/

In another article we read:
The family's attorney, Benjamin Crump, said Thursday that Arbery "is again denied justice," and he found it "outrageous that Black jurors were intentionally excluded to create such an imbalanced jury."

Arbery's aunt, Thea Brooks, said she wasn't surprised by the outcome.

"It's just another injustice that we face daily," she said on MSNBC, adding that she remains hopeful jurors will be open-minded.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/family-outraged-racial-makeup-jury-arbery-slaying-rcna4550

I think that there was real concern among some that a jury that did not have sufficient minorities would possibly taint their ability to make a fair decision, especially in a trial that was considered racially charged.

[Steven W Bohler]

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/kevindowneyjr/2021/11/23/ax-wielding-antifa-member-attacks-gop-senators-office-dems-give-him-money-fbi-returns-ax-n1535869

Here is one with overt partisan overtones. But apparently it is not going to trial.

Yes, I posted this link the other day about it: https://thepostmillennial.com/north-dakota-man-axe-antifa?utm_campaign=64470.  Probation and restitution.  For insurrection and "an attack at the very pillars of our democracy!".  Meanwhile the January 6 folks sit and sit and sit, for months with no trial dates (or, in some cases, even charges filed).

[James S. Rustad]

So contrary to the expectations of many, the nearly all-white jury rejected the claim of self-defense by whites who killed a black man.

Imagine that!  The jury got it right again.

[Dave Benke]

So contrary to the expectations of many, the nearly all-white jury rejected the claim of self-defense by whites who killed a black man.

Imagine that!  The jury got it right again.

Amen!

Dave Benke