After already receiving life sentences on state murder charges, a federal judge on Monday handed down another life sentence to Travis and Gregory McMichael for committing a hate crime in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.
Travis, the son, and the one who fatally shot Arbery, received his sentence first, followed by his father, Gregory, who initiated the chase that led to Arbery's slaying.
The third defendant, 52-year-old William "Roddie" Bryan, was also sentenced Monday for hate crimes; he received 35 years in prison for recording cellphone video of the killing, on top of the life sentence he had already received for murder.
Travis McMichael has asked to serve his sentences in federal prison because of many threats to his life from within state prison. His lawyer said he would be facing a "backdoor death penalty" if he were forced to go to state prison. Arbery's aunt, Ruby Arbery, argued against this possibility, stating:
"I read in the newspaper every day that you were scared for your life. What did you think Ahmaud was when you chased him down? ... I don't want them to have an easy life. Because we will never have an easy life again."
In his hearing Monday, Gregory McMichael apologized to Arbery's family and told them "there was no malice in my heart" on the day he and his son pursued and fatally shot Arbery.
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
