Defense closing statement for Travis..
http://www.yourdestinationnow.com/2021/11/defense-in-ahmaud-arbery-trial-insist.html
Sheffield showed the jury the re-enactment video of Bryan's route through the neighborhood as he described events.
The chase progressed to a dogleg bend in the road near the intersection of Satilla Drive and Holmes Road. Travis parked his truck.
'Armaud Arbery comes across that dogleg, he's coming at Travis,' said Sheffield. 'At this moment he is looking into Travis's eyes and ultimately get within 10ft of him. While Travis is saying, stop, do not get any closer.'
'Arbery backed off but then came back a second time, said Sheffield. 'Travis felt something is not right. I see where this is going. Aggravated assault is a felony that can be committed by the use of fists. Fists are a weapon. And right now as Ahmaud Arbery is running towards Travis McMichael he could have a gun and he definitely has fists.
'He is coming straight at him. Travis says he gets 30 to 40 feet from him. He's afraid that he will be on him in a matter of seconds, he is afraid that he will beat him with his fists or whatever weapon he might have. And he's scared.
'And so he has done what he thinks the law allows him to do, which is to try to de-escalate that approach by showing force. Showing force necessary to prevent Travis himself from getting possibly killed. So he raises the gun. And he does it to defend himself.'
Arbery switched direction, but 'once the gun is down he comes back again,' said Sheffield.
Travis, out of the truck, backed up to create space and distance, said the attorney.
'Travis is thinking to himself, please turn,' he continued. 'Please don't come at me. I am backing up.
'He never ever when he left his driveway that day that thought things would end this way. Travis doesn't have a duty to retreat. He is allowed to stay where he thinks he is lawfully allowed to be and to try to defend himself and others.
'And then Ahmaud takes that turn. Travis is thinking if this guy gets hold of my shotgun, this is not going to end well. He's going to end up with the shotgun and kill me. Travis is thinking, my son.
'Ahmaud comes around, squares up.' Pointing to Bryan's video of the killing, Sheffield said: 'Ahmaud comes across to Travis and the first shot happens right over here.' Speaking of Arbery, Sheffield said: 'Right here, his head is down, in full charge.
'There is no question that Ahmaud's hand is on this gun. This is about this gun. Travis turns into Ahmaud, trying to use his entire body, pulls the end of the shotgun away from him, gets pushed across the road into the grass and the second shot goes off.
Continuing to talk jurors through the video, Sheffield continued: 'Travis, coming out of the grass now, trying to yank this gun from Mr. Arbery, Ahmaud's hand still on it. Is there any question that Ahmaud Arbery is assaulting Travis McMichael right before that third shot? Not one single bit of question.
'These two men stand, face to face, looking into each other's eyes, with never a word being spoken by Mr. Arbery. It is absolutely horrific and tragic that this has happened.
'This is where the law is intertwined with heartache and tragedy. You are allowed to defend yourself, you are allowed to use force, likely to cause death or serious injury, if you believe it is necessary. At that moment Travis believed it was necessary.'
http://www.yourdestinationnow.com/2021/11/defense-in-ahmaud-arbery-trial-insist.html
Sheffield showed the jury the re-enactment video of Bryan's route through the neighborhood as he described events.
The chase progressed to a dogleg bend in the road near the intersection of Satilla Drive and Holmes Road. Travis parked his truck.
'Armaud Arbery comes across that dogleg, he's coming at Travis,' said Sheffield. 'At this moment he is looking into Travis's eyes and ultimately get within 10ft of him. While Travis is saying, stop, do not get any closer.'
'Arbery backed off but then came back a second time, said Sheffield. 'Travis felt something is not right. I see where this is going. Aggravated assault is a felony that can be committed by the use of fists. Fists are a weapon. And right now as Ahmaud Arbery is running towards Travis McMichael he could have a gun and he definitely has fists.
'He is coming straight at him. Travis says he gets 30 to 40 feet from him. He's afraid that he will be on him in a matter of seconds, he is afraid that he will beat him with his fists or whatever weapon he might have. And he's scared.
'And so he has done what he thinks the law allows him to do, which is to try to de-escalate that approach by showing force. Showing force necessary to prevent Travis himself from getting possibly killed. So he raises the gun. And he does it to defend himself.'
Arbery switched direction, but 'once the gun is down he comes back again,' said Sheffield.
Travis, out of the truck, backed up to create space and distance, said the attorney.
'Travis is thinking to himself, please turn,' he continued. 'Please don't come at me. I am backing up.
'He never ever when he left his driveway that day that thought things would end this way. Travis doesn't have a duty to retreat. He is allowed to stay where he thinks he is lawfully allowed to be and to try to defend himself and others.
'And then Ahmaud takes that turn. Travis is thinking if this guy gets hold of my shotgun, this is not going to end well. He's going to end up with the shotgun and kill me. Travis is thinking, my son.
'Ahmaud comes around, squares up.' Pointing to Bryan's video of the killing, Sheffield said: 'Ahmaud comes across to Travis and the first shot happens right over here.' Speaking of Arbery, Sheffield said: 'Right here, his head is down, in full charge.
'There is no question that Ahmaud's hand is on this gun. This is about this gun. Travis turns into Ahmaud, trying to use his entire body, pulls the end of the shotgun away from him, gets pushed across the road into the grass and the second shot goes off.
Continuing to talk jurors through the video, Sheffield continued: 'Travis, coming out of the grass now, trying to yank this gun from Mr. Arbery, Ahmaud's hand still on it. Is there any question that Ahmaud Arbery is assaulting Travis McMichael right before that third shot? Not one single bit of question.
'These two men stand, face to face, looking into each other's eyes, with never a word being spoken by Mr. Arbery. It is absolutely horrific and tragic that this has happened.
'This is where the law is intertwined with heartache and tragedy. You are allowed to defend yourself, you are allowed to use force, likely to cause death or serious injury, if you believe it is necessary. At that moment Travis believed it was necessary.'
