Attorney Apologizes for “Black Pastors” Comment Made During Ahmaud Arbery Murder Trial

Friday an attorney representing one of the men on trial for murdering Ahmaud Arbery apologized for the “Black pastors” comment he made Thursday in court.

Defense attorney Kevin Gough, who is representing William “Roddie” Bryan, offered the questionable apology after Thursday’s highly offensive comments about Rev. Al Sharpton sitting next to the family of the slain Black jogger.

“We don’t want any more Black pastors coming in here or others, Jesse Jackson, whoever was in here earlier, sitting with the victim’s family trying to influence the jury in this case,” Gough told Judge Timothy R. Walmsley. However, during his apology, he explained that his statements were “overly broad” and assured the courtroom that he would put them in a more “proper context” on Monday.

Gough believes that African-American leaders and activists will pressure the jury into a guilty verdict.

Despite the attempt to bar him and fellow prominent figures from supporting the Arbery family, Sharpton says he will not be swayed nor intimidated by the “arrogant insensitivity” of Gough.

In a statement, civil rights attorney Ben Crump also slammed Gough and said he would be responding to his remarks by rallying 100 Black pastors to pray with the Arbery family as the trial continues next week. He also welcomed anyone else to join them in prayer.

NEWS ALERT: @AttorneyCrump responds to criticism by William “Roddie” Bryan’s attorney, Kevin Gough, about Rev. Al Sharpton and other Black pastors attending the trial. pic.twitter.com/WT2PmxhVnF

— Ben Crump Law, PLLC (@BenCrumpLaw) November 12, 2021