Federal judge rejects plea deal for one of Ahmad Arbery’s killers

On Monday, a federal judge in Georgia rejected a deal between federal prosecutors and at least one of the men guilty for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery after the victim’s family objected to a plea bargain.

Prosecutors filed papers on Sunday in the federal hate crime case coming to agreements with Travis and Gregory McMichael.

But Arbery’s family criticized the deals the parties had made, specifically an agreement that would have allowed to serve their hate crime sentences in a federal penitentiary first.

“Please listen to me. Please listen to me,” Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, begged in court. “Granting these men their preferred conditions of confinement…gives them one last chance to spit in my face after murdering my son.”

Both of Arbery’s parents as well as other loved ones urged the judge to strike out the deal. “Do the right thing,” aunt Ruby Arbery said in court,” because there’s too much racism going on. I’m asking you, judge, please look out for the Arbery and Cooper family.”

After hearing the words spoken by Arbery’s family members, U.S. District Judge Lisa Wood said she had no choice but to reject the deal as she did not have enough information to approve it. “It is my decision to reject the plea agreement,” she said. “In this case, it is appropriate to hear at sentencing from all concerned, including the victim’s family.”

She went on to say that she was not sure that 30 years in federal prison was an appropriate sentence. “I can’t say that 360 months is a precise…fair sentence in this case,” Wood noted.

“It could be more. It could be less. It could be that. But given the unique circumstances of this case and my desire to hear from all concerned regarding the sentencing before I pronounce sentence, I am not comfortable accepting the terms of the plea agreement.”

Despite the parents’ objections to the plea bargain, Prosecutor Tara Lyons advocated for the deal to be accepted. She added that it would “powerfully advance the larger interest of justice” and allow for “some healing to begin.”