Brunswick, Georgia – On Friday, Judge Timothy Walmsley sentenced the three men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery to life in prison.

Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan Jr. were all sentenced to prison after being found guilty of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery on November 24, 2021.

Before sentencing, Judge Walmsley took a moment to reflect on the actions that led to Arbery's death and offered up touching words about how this trial should impact communities around the US.

"I've read somewhere, and I don't remember where it was, that at a minimum, Ahmaud Arbery's death should force us to consider expanding our definition of what a neighbor may be and how we treat them," Walmsley said.

He continued, "I argue that maybe a neighbor is more than the people who just own property around your house. I believe that [in] assuming the worst in others, we show our worst character."

Travis McMichael, who was found guilty on all nine counts he was charged with, was sentenced to life in prison, plus 20 years, without parole.

Gregory McMichael was found guilty on counts two through nine and was also sentenced to life in prison plus twenty years without parole.

As for Bryan, the judge acknowledged that "There may be some differences," between his involvement in the crime and that of the McMichaels', it didn't change the fact that he was convicted of felony murder.

With that being said, Judge Walmsley sentenced Bryan to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Prior to the sentencing hearing, Bryan's attorney, Kevin Gough, filed four motions in attempts to reduce the sentencing for his client, while also trying to argue double jeopardy was at play.

The judge acknowledged each motion, and then proceeded to deny all four of them.

Prior to hearing arguments, the court heard three victim impact statements from Arbery's family members.

Marcus Arbery, Ahmaud's father, told the courtroom, "They killed him while he was doing what he loved more than anything – running. That's when he felt most alive, most free, and they took all of that from him. When I close my eyes, I see his execution in my eyes over and over. I'll see that for the rest of my life."

Arbery's sister, Jasmine Arbery, said, "Ahmaud had a future that was taken from him in an instance of violence. He was robbed of his life pleasures – big and small."

His mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, asked the judge for the maximum sentence for all three men.

"Ahmaud never said a word to them, he never threatened them. He just wanted to be left alone. They were fully committed to the crimes. Let them be fully committed [to] the consequences," Jones said.