Gregory McMichael withdraws plea in federal hate crimes trial after judge blocks agreement

A man charged with federal hate crimes in the death of Ahmaud Arbery has withdrawn his plea after a judge denied a proposed deal with the Department of Justice earlier this week, court documents show. The trial for Gregory McMichael, who has already been convicted on state charges of killing the 25-year-old Black man in 2020, is scheduled to begin on Monday.

In a joint filing with the Department of Justice, attorneys wrote that the agreement "is hereby withdrawn by counsel for both sides." 

"Counsel respectfully announce ready for trial on February 7, 2022," the Thursday filing said.