Attorneys for the two white men accused of chasing down and killing Ahmaud Arbery, Feb. 23, 2020, have filed motions in Glynn County Superior Court asking that the word victim not be used during the trial.

According to court documents obtained by the Courier attorneys for Gregory and Travis McMichael filed motions on Dec. 30, 2020 that stated, “Defendants, Travis and Greg McMichael, respectfully move that the prosecution be prohibited from the use of prejudicial terms at trial, during jury selection, or in the presence of witnesses. These terms include the use of the word “Victim.” The purpose of this motion is to prevent the prosecution from ignoring its duty to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that crimes were actually committed and that McMichaels committed the crimes as charged. Due process requires minimal injection of error or prejudice into these proceedings. Use of terms such as “victim” allows the focus to shift to the accused rather than remain on the proof of every element of the crimes charged.”

The attorneys also filed a motion to exclude from evidence at trial all recorded jail calls intercepted by the Glynn County Detention Center during the duration of the McMichaels’ incarceration in the county jail.

Another motion was filed requesting courtroom decorum asking that the court not allow people in the courtroom to wear facemasks or T-shirts with slogans like “Black Lives Matter,” “I can’t breathe, “Justice for George Floyd,” and “I run with Maud.”

The McMichaels and a third defendant William “Roddy” Bryan were indicted on five counts of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony. They remain in Glynn County jail with no bond.

Court doucuments can be downloaded below.