BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The tenth day of testimony in the trial concerning the death of Ahmaud Arbery wrapped on Thursday. With closing arguments destined for Monday, many may be asking if the jury will need to be unanimous in their decision in order for a verdict to be rendered.
The answer is yes.
Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed on Feb. 23, 2020 while running within the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Glynn County near Brunswick, Georgia.
He was shot and killed by father and son Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael. The two claimed that they were making a citizen's arrest when a struggle broke out with Arbery. Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan have since been charged and are currently in the midst of a 10-day long trial.
The defense rested on Thursday, paving the way for a charge conference on Friday, Nov. 19. After the meeting, the trial will enter closing arguments on Monday, Nov. 22. Deliberations will follow shortly after.
It all begs the question: what will the jury decide?
For a guilty verdict, due to the case being a state criminal trial, the jury will have to vote unanimously.
In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in Ramos vs. Louisiana that ensured such future trials would require unanimous decision. The court held that the Constitution requires unanimous jury verdicts in all state criminal trials (this was already required by state law in every state except Oregon, including Georgia, but formally became U.S. constitutional law with the decision.)
While the decision reversed a Louisiana appellate court decision in Ramos vs. Louisiana, it also paints a much clearer picture for the trial concerning the death of Ahmaud Arbery.
If the jury cannot reach a verdict, they may be sequestered until a verdict is reached. If all else fails, a mistrial may be called.
A mistrial will generally lead to either a plea bargain, dismissal of charges or the defendant(s) being tried on the same charges in a new trial.
With closing arguments just over the horizon, there is still a lot left that can happen in the trial of Ahmaud Arbery's death. If the jury will be single-minded in their potential decision is yet to be seen.