BRUNSWICK, Ga. – The family of Ahmaud Arbery gathered in Southeast Georgia days before his three killers prepare to appeal their federal hate crime convictions in court.
Arbery was chased and killed while jogging in a Satilla Shores neighborhood in 2020. His death was recorded and leaked online, which sparked nationwide outrage.
Greg McMichael, his son Travis McMichael and their neighbor William Bryan were sentenced to life in prison after they were found guilty of federal hate crimes.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: THE ARMAUD ARBERY CASE
The three men will face a judge on Wednesday in hopes of appealing their convictions.
Arbery’s family came together to bring attention to his case before heading to Atlanta for the hearing.
Diane Jackson, Arbery’s aunt, described hearing the news about the appeal as the worst day of her life. She said she got the call from a friend.
“She said, ‘You know the McMichaels about to appeal in Atlanta,’” Jackson said.
Arbery’s uncle William Avery said it’s been difficult without having his nephew around.
“It’s been a hurt struggle, because we never had that happen in our family, you know? And he just told the whole family apart and we haven’t gotten together yet,” Avery said.
The family heads to Atlanta on Tuesday to rally against the appeal.