Memorials, lawsuit mark death anniversary of Ahmaud Arbery
Lawmakers paused to remember him at the Georgia state Capitol, and President Joe Biden offered thoughts on the slaying one year ago of Ahmaud Arbery. As three men await trial for murder, those closest to Arbery sought to make sure his death isn't overlooked again. Pleas for justice by Arbery's family went largely unheard as Georgia and the nation entered lockdown in the coronavirus pandemic. AdThe anniversary march was organized by the 2:23 Foundation, a group founded by Vaughn and Arbery's cousin, Demetris Frazier, to fight systemic racism. Vaughn, who coached Arbery at Brunswick High School, said the slaying remains painfully fresh.
Maine company successfully launches prototype rocket
This Jan. 31, 2021 image provided by bluShift Aerospace shows The Knack Factory in Limestone, Maine, where an unmanned rocket lifts off in a test run. It was the first commercial rocket launch in Maine history. (bluShift Aerospace via AP)BRUNSWICK, Maine โ A Maine company thatโs developing a rocket to propel small satellites into space passed its first major test on Sunday. Itโs carbon neutral.โAdThe goal is to create a small rocket that could launch a 30-kilogram (66-pound) payload into low-Earth orbit, more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) above Earth's surface. An attempted test launch in Limestone earlier in January was postponed because of weather.
Bond denied for father, son charged in Ahmaud Arbery slaying
In this image made from video, from left, father and son, Gregory and Travis McMichael, accused in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia on Feb. 2020, listen via closed circuit tv in the Glynn County Detention center in Brunswick, Ga., on Thursday, Nov. 12, as lawyers argue for bond to be set at the Glynn County courthouse. The McMichaels chased and fatally shot Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, after they spotted him running in their neighborhood just outside the port city of Brunswick. (AP Photo/Lewis Levine)
Judge: Voters can't abolish embattled GA police department
BRUNSWICK, Ga. โ Voters can't try to abolish an embattled Georgia police department that was wrapped in controversy even before the department oversaw the initial investigation into the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, a judge ruled Friday. Superior Court Judge Charles Paul Rose ruled that the referendum on abolishing the Glynn County Police Department is unconstitutional. Brian Kemp signed the measure amid troubled times for Glynn County police. And Glynn County officers brought no charges in February after Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by white men who armed themselves and pursued him after spotting Arbery running in their neighborhood. Glynn County commissioners filed suit to stop the vote, saying it infringed on their authority under Georgia's constitution to provide police services.
Georgia county where Black man shot sues over policing vote
BRUNSWICK, Ga. The commissioners of a coastal Georgia county where Black man Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot after being pursued by armed white men are suing to stop a referendum on abolishing the county police department. The Glynn County Commission filed the lawsuit Friday, The Brunswick News reports. Glynn County commissioners have opposed that effort, saying two local Republican lawmakers are trying to help their political ally, Sheriff Neal Jump. A Glynn County narcotics officer was found to have been having sex with two confidential informants. The county also argues the law is improperly targeted at only Glynn County.
Bombshell announcement made after 3 accused in killing of Ahmaud Arbery plead not guilty
BRUNSWICK, Ga. The three Glynn County men accused in the murder of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery appeared via video conference Friday at an arraignment hearing, pleading not guilty to all charges. Travis McMichael and his father, Gregory, are accused in the shooting of Arbery as he jogged through their neighborhood in late February. There are texts to support the DOJs investigation, Assistant District Attorney Jesse Evans said. Gough also argued a motion requesting that District Attorney Joyette Holmes be removed from the case, calling into question the way she was chosen. Arberys lawyers accuse the Brunswick district attorney and Waycross district attorney of trying to protect the McMichaels because they have ties to law enforcement.
5 things to know today - that aren't about the virus
McMichael's father, Gregory, who was also at the scene, said Arbery was shot as the two men fought over the gun, according to the police report. The AP has not been able to verify the source of the video. (Twitter via AP)Your daily look at nonvirus stories in the news:1. DOJ ABRUPTLY DROPS FLYNN CASE The prosecution against Trumpโs first national security adviser has become a rallying cry for the president and his supporters in attacking the FBIโs Russia investigation. JUDGE WON'T TOSS COLLEGE BRIBERY CHARGES A federal judge has refused to dismiss charges against actress Lori Loughlin, her fashion designer husband and other prominent parents accused of cheating the college admissions process.