The killing of Ahmaud Arbery reveals a number of troubling truths about our society, law enforcement and the criminal justice system. If you are black, you can be killed based on mere suspicion that you have committed a crime, denied the benefit of an unbiased and adequate police law enforcement investigation, and be denied equal treatment and protection under the law.
As a trial attorney, I find it hard to conceive of a winning defense strategy in the criminal prosecutions of Gregory and Travis McMichael that does not racialize, criminalize and devalue black lives. While I respect the constitutional right to a fair trial and effective assistance of counsel, even the most creative rationalization of this incident cannot avoid the unescapable truth that Arbery was killed because he is black.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]