A sentencing hearing has been set for the three men — Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William “Roddie” Bryan — convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery.
According to CNN, the McMichaels and Bryan will appear before Judge Timothy Walmsley, who presided over their state trial, on Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. in the Glynn County Courthouse in Brunswick, Georgia.
Last February, the McMichaels grabbed their firearms and chased the 25-year-old Black man in their pickup truck as he jogged through the neighborhood. Bryan joined the pursuit and blocked Arbery in with his truck. He also recorded the moment Travis fatally shot the victim on his cellphone.
Last month, all three men were convicted for murdering Arbery. Gregory was found guilty of four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony. Travis was convicted of one count of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of false imprisonment and one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony. Bryan was found guilty on three counts of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, one count of false imprisonment and one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony.
The malice and felony murder convictions both carry a minimum penalty of life behind bars. The judge determines whether that comes with or without the option of parole. Even if a possibility of parole is given, a person has to serve 30 years before becoming eligible. Multiple murder convictions are combined for sentencing.
Murder can also be punishable by death in the state of Georgia — if the killing meets certain criteria. However, prosecutors decided not to pursue the death penalty in Arbery’s case. Additionally, false imprisonment carries a sentence of one to 10 years in prison and each count of aggravated assault is punishable by a prison term of one to 20 years.