‘Woke Left Mob’ Influenced Jury in Trial of Arbery Murder Suspects, Lawyer Says
The New York Times
The defense lawyer for one of three men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery unsuccessfully moved for a mistrial. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday in Brunswick, Ga.
ATLANTA — With closing arguments in the trial of the men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery looming, the defense lawyer who prompted widespread criticism for trying to keep Black preachers like the Rev. Al Sharpton out of the courtroom moved on Friday for a mistrial, arguing that demonstrators outside the courtroom amounted to a “woke left mob” who were unduly influencing the jury.
The mistrial motion on Friday was among many that had been submitted, or threatened, in recent days by Kevin Gough, the lawyer for William Bryan, one of three white men indicted on charges of illegally chasing and murdering Mr. Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man. Like other similar mistrial motions from Mr. Gough, this one was rejected by Judge Timothy R. Walmsley of Glynn County Superior Court.
But Mr. Gough — who earlier this week said, “We don’t want any more Black pastors coming in here” — took his provocative language to new heights on Friday.
