Ahmaud Arbery’s Mother Files Civil Suit

On the first anniversary of Ahmaud Arbery’s death, his mother filed a civil suit alleging a widespread conspiracy and cover-up.

Wanda Cooper filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. It names Gregory and Travis McMichael, William “Roddy” Bryan, and various law enforcement officials.

Local prosecutors are named in the suit, according to NPR, and are being accused of being involved in a cover-up. The complaint names District Attorney’s Jackie Johnson and George Barnhill over their failure to immediately disclose their personal relationships as former colleagues of Gregory McMichael, their refusal to arrest the three men, and Barnhill’s attempt to justify the murder.

The lawsuit lists fourteen counts, including excessive force, failure to intervene, conspiracy/battery, and willful and wanton misconduct.

The suit also alleges that the McMichaels and Bryan, who are white, pursued Arbery, who was jogging around a neighborhood, based on his race. All three are facing felony murder charges for their roles in his murder. All three have been denied bond.

Their trial has thus far been delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In May, the U.S. Justice Department told NPR  that federal authorities are looking into “the evidence to determine whether federal hate crimes charges are appropriate.”

The civil suit comes on the same day that Arbery’s family planned to hold a public candlelight memorial at the New Springfield Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Georgia. Arbery is buried at that location. Those attending the memorial are asked to wear a blue ribbon in Arbery’s honor.