A defense lawyer recently received backlash for his harmful on-recorded statements, involving a murder trial.
Houston religious leaders united with Black pastors on Thursday, Nov. 18. They merged after Defense lawyer Kevin Gough issued a racist statement during Ahmaud Arbery's murder trial.
He was a 25-year-old, Black American civilian shot while jogging in Brunswick, Georgia.
According to ABC News, the events started at the Glynn County, Georgia, courtroom on Thursday, Nov. 11.
Defense attorney Gough spoke with Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley about the issue. The defense attorney reportedly got offended when local Rev. Al Sharpton was present within the court hearing. The reverend sat down and comforted the bereaved family of the late Arbery.
Gough believed that the presence of the reverend was intimidating to the court. He said that he may influence the decision of the people involved. The defense attorney expressed that Black pastors should not be there, as well.
Backlash From Pillars of the Community
As reported by Click2Houston, Houston preachers said that banning them due to their race is unacceptable.
For them, this is problematic considering there are 11 out of 12 jurors who are Caucasian. They believed that the situation itself does not reflect the administrative territory.
After that, the bereaved family of Arbery requested to remove Gough from the case.
Houston Bishop James Dixon II voiced his concern about the stigma. He wanted them to receive treatment as human beings in the courtroom. The community voiced their disappointment due to the race-related issues that are prevalent.
Reverend Sharpton then stated that Gough was insensitive to ask the minister to bar him out. The family required spiritual and community support. The preacher added that the attorney disregarded the value of the human life lost.
Defense attorney Jason Sheffield called out his asinine behavior during the trial court.
Defense Lawyer Issued Apology Statement
After the controversies, Gough apologized before the trial resumed on Friday, Nov. 12. The attorney acknowledged that his statements had been 'overly broad.' He also apologized for his previous remarks that may have offended anyone.
Three Men Found Guilty Charged With Hate Crimes
CBS News reported that Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William Bryan were the clients of Kevin Gough.
The court found Travis guilty of malicious murder responsible for firing fatal shots.
Meanwhile, Gregory, his father, and William Bryan, his neighbor, faced felony murder. Defendants stated they acted in self-defense and assumed Arbery was a burglar suspect.
Lead prosecutor Linda Dunikoski claimed the information to be incorrect. One defendant reported to 911 that a Black male running down the street was a sign of an emergency.
Dunikoski argued that the defendants decided their actions based on assumptions.
Arbery was a jogger in South Georgia, born and raised in Brunswick. He was a 25-year-old football player known for his speed who enrolled in a technical college.
Under cross-examination, Travis admitted Arbery did not threaten him. Due to a confrontation, he made a life or death decision that caused him to pull the trigger.
Allegedly, the three defendants attempted to contain the victim against his will. All defendants now face criminal counts, including federal hate crime charges.
More from Crossmap:
