'Today Is A Happy Day' Says Ahmaud Arbery's Mother On Indictment

COBB COUNTY, GA — Ahmaud Arbery’s mother is speaking out about the indictment in her son’s murder case. All three suspects were indicted Wednesday by a grand jury.

“The indictment, it means a big accomplishment case wise. I’ve waited so long to get this type of news. It’s not time for celebration yet because we want to get them sentenced properly,” Wanda Cooper-Jones told WGCL.

"I’m pleased. I think this is a good second step a huge step. I can say I am happy today like yesterday. Today is a happy day.”

Arbery was shot and killed while jogging on Feb. 23 in the Brunswick neighborhood of Georgia. Three arrests in the case were made in May. Two of the three suspects in the Arbery murder case used racial epithets to describe African Americans and the accused shooter used a slur to describe the victim, testimony in court said.

Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and William ‘Roddie’ Bryan are charged with nine counts: malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment, said Cobb County District Attorney Joyette Holmes.

“The indictment means they will be going to trial and facing very serious time," Cooper-Jones attorney S. Lee Merritt told WGCL.

Travis McMichael's attorney, Bob Rubin, released a statement after the indictment was announced, saying his client plans to plead not guilty, reported WSB.

"In order to get an indictment the district attorney only has to present their side of the case to the grand jury," Rubin said. "The grand jury never heard the evidence the defense has in this case and the district attorney never sought from us any input on what to present to the grand jury and that's unfortunate. To the indictment that's been returned, we plan to plead not guilty and expect to present the rest of the facts in court."