“Dirty nails” commentary on Arbery in the most racist case he has ever witnessed

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BRUNSWICK, Georgia – As the jury continued deliberations in the trial of three men charged with the death of Ahmaud Arbery, family lawyers and the Rev. Al Sharpton addressed the media and supporters of the Arbery family on Wednesday morning outside Glynn County Courthouse. .

As they stood on a podium, Sharpton said the case was one of the most racist court cases he had ever witnessed.

“[Arbery’s parents] sat down and heard some of the most racist statements made in court that I’ve heard in the decades I’ve been here, ”said Sharpton. “I have sat in many courtrooms, never sat in a courtroom where the victim looked like an animal, talking dirty fingernails like he wasn’t even a human, but an animal. “

FULL COVER: Trial of men accused of Ahmaud Arbery’s death

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Sharpton was referring to comments by defense lawyer Laura Houge, who represents Gregory McMichael, in closing arguments.

“Turning Ahmaud Arbery into a victim after the choices he made does not reflect the reality of what brought Ahmaud Arbery to Satilla Shores in his khaki shorts with no socks to cover his long dirty fingernails,” Hogue told jurors.

After Hogue’s comment, Wanda Cooper-Jones, Arbery’s mother, said “wow” and left the courtroom.

Sharpton even asked if the defense attorneys in the case had any families.

MORE: Defense attorney in Arbery murder trial tells judge: “We don’t want black pastors coming here anymore”

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Defense attorneys for Gregory and Travis McMichael, who are charged with Arbery’s murder, have made several attempts to portray Arbery as a criminal, although prosecutors said there was no evidence that Arbery committed a crime on the day of his assassination.

Lawyer Ben Crump said he couldn’t imagine what had gone through the minds of Arbery’s parents upon hearing some of the comments made by defense attorneys.

“As if Ahmaud was a runaway slave and they had the right to hunt and capture him and even the power to kill him,” Crump said.

RELATED: Prosecutor Reads Racist Messages From Ahmaud Arbery Killer

They said defense attorneys were lashing out at the family in a certain way, complaining about Arbery’s mother crying in the courtroom.

The family, their lawyers and their pastors said they had now moved on to trust the jury.

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Family attorney Lee Merritt said he believed there was more than enough evidence to convict the three men on all counts.

“We understand that a verdict could come back today and that there is more than enough evidence for them to come back with a verdict today, but if it lasts over the holidays if it lasts next week, however long it takes, we want them to do it right, ”Merritt said.

Sharpton gave something he wants people to think about on Thanksgiving.

“I want you to look at your family table and see how there will be an empty seat and Marcus and Wanda’s table and the empty seat is where Ahmaud would have sat.” Ask yourself, have you heard of a reason why Ahmaud shouldn’t be at this table? This is what everyone should be thinking about during Thanksgiving, ”said Sharpton.

News4Jax spoke to Ahmaud Arbery’s great aunt who said she was very optimistic and believed that God had not brought her family this far to leave them. On Wednesday afternoon, they were sitting outside the courthouse, eagerly awaiting this verdict which could come later today.

Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.

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