Ahmaud Arbery family’s lawyer says Feds ‘launched criminal investigation into DAs and cops’ who ‘covered up’ killing
THE LAWYER for Ahmaud Arbery's family has revealed federal authorities have "launched a criminal investigation into the District Attorneys and cops" who "covered up" the killing.
During an interview on Monday with TMZ Live, Lee Merritt said the Attorney for the Southern District of told the family that they were looking at both civil and criminal action against the officials.
"We're looking at George Barnhill for his defence of the McMichael's and his attempt at cover up.
No arrests were made until May 7, after the video was widely shared on social media, pushing it into the national spotlight and prompting widespread outrage.
Earlier this month, Gregory McMichael, 64 - a former Glynn County cop - and his son Travis, 34, were arrested over the shooting.
, which means that a victim was killed during the commission of an underlying felony, in this case aggravated assault.
, 50, who filmed the video, was also booked on charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment for capturing the footage.
The investigation led by local authorities had seemed to be stalled and, amid the national uproar, a prosecutor specially appointed last month asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to get involved.
The McMichaels had told police they pursued Arbery after spotting him running in their neighborhood, according to the initial police report.
They said they thought Arbery matched the description of someone caught on a security camera committing recent break-ins in the area.