Are you surprised? S. Lee Merritt Esq. graduated cum laude from Morehouse College and if there is anyone who can secure justice for the Ahmaud Arbery who was murdered in broad daylight, Merritt seems to be the right man for the job.
Unarmed Ahmaud Arbery was minding his business on a jog 2 miles from his home in Brunswick, Georgia on February 23, when Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son, Travis, 34 terrorized, shot and killed him. A video of the tragic episode surfaced. The pair was arrested months later on May 7, charged with murder and aggravated assault.
S. Lee Merritt Esq., also known as “the people attorney,” is a proud attorney and activist. He began his legal career with the Cochran Firm Philadelphia before going into private practice. Merritt now practices law through his federally-based practice, Merritt Law Firm. He holds licenses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of New Jersey, federally in Eastern District of Pennsylvania and US District Court of the Northern District of Texas.
Merritt is a proud member of Omega Psi Fraternity Inc. and is an “emerging as an influential new voice in the fight for Social Justice. A Civil Right’s activist and attorney, Merritt runs a high profile practice focusing on victims of police brutality, hate crimes and corporate discrimination.” His website continues, “As an activist, he has championed police reform and community empowerment. His office has led the way in reform in Texas, a state notorious for its failure to prosecute police officer, advocating for the first murder indictments of officers in the state in over 40 years. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in the Summer of 2017, Merritt helped to launch the American Black Cross, a disaster relief organization geared to serve the most vulnerable sectors of society.”
In 2017 Merritt was recognized as one of the top 10 most influential African Americans in the country ages 18 to 45 by The Root. The National Black Caucus of State Legislators awarded Merritt the prestigious “Nation Builder” award, adding him to an elite list of recipients including President Barrack Obama, Shirley Chisholm and Vernon Jordan.
Today, the following statement was released from his office in conjunction with other lawyers on the case which include Ben Crump, Esq and L. Chris Stewart, Esq.:
Our office has reviewed the surveillance video which appears to show a person, believed to be Ahmaud Arbery, entering a property under construction. The individual remains on the property for under 3 minutes before continuing to jog down the road. This video is consistent with the evidence already known to us.
Ahmaud Arbery was out for a jog. He stopped by a property under construction where he engaged in no illegal activity and remained for only a brief period. Ahmaud did not take anything from the construction site. He did not cause any damage to the property. He remained for a brief period of time and was not instructed by any one to leave but rather left on his own accord to continue his jog. Ahmaud’s actions at this empty home under construction were in no way a felony under Georgia law.
This video confirms that Mr. Arbery’s murder was not justified and the actions of the men who pursued him and ambushed him were unjustified. We reiterate, Ahmaud Arbery did not take part in ANY felony, had no illegal substances in his system, was not armed yet was shot three times with a shotgun at close
range.
In a press release shared on Sunday, May 10, Attorney General Chris Carr shared, “We are committed to a complete and transparent review of how the Ahmaud Arbery case was handled from the outset.”
With Merritt on the case, they will not have any other option. Sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Ahmaud Arbery.
