KEY POINTS

  • The version of the Ahmaud Arbery shooting released to the public was around 30 seconds long
  • William Bryan, who recorded the video, said he acted as a "good Samaritan" in recording it but has faced backlash and said he's received death threats over the video
  • Attorney R. Lee Merritt, who represents Ahmaud Arbery's family, plans to address the video in more detail on Monday

A lawyer representing the family of Ahmaud Arbery said Monday that the video of the shooting is much longer than what was released to the public.

Attorney S. Lee Merritt said the original video of Arbery being chased down and shot by Gregory McMichael, 64, and Travis McMichael, 34, on Feb. 23 was actually four minutes long. The version released to the public was around 32 seconds long.

Merritt plans to release a full statement later on Monday.

Brunswick, Georgia, resident William Bryan was identified as the man who recorded the video of Arbery’s shooting. While he has called himself a “good Samaritan” for recording the altercation, he has faced heavy criticism for allegedly sitting on the video for nearly two months. Bryan told reporters that he and his family received death threats since Gregory and Travis McMichael were arrested.

Merritt has also been critical of Bryan’s defense.

“He is a liar,” Merritt told reporters. “If he was a good Samaritan, he would have honked his horn. It's worth noting that on the video, he doesn't even flinch. He doesn't gasp. Shot after shot. He simply takes it all in.”

Merritt and Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, have both called for Bryan’s arrest. Cooper-Jones also told Fox News she didn’t believe his “good Samaritan” defense.

“Why would you videotape it? Why didn't he do anything to help? Why didn't he reach out right after the shooting? Why did he only come forward after the video was leaked?” Cooper-Jones said.

Police Scene
Representational image of a crime scene. Suzanne Cordiero/AFP/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES