The US state of Georgia has abolished American Civil War-era legislation that allowed citizen's arrests of suspected criminals. The move was prompted by the fatal shooting of jogger Ahmaud Arbery , 25, by a white man who suspected him of being a burglar, in February 2020. Mr Arbery, a black man, was pursued by Greg McMichael and his son Travis McMichael, who shot him dead. A video of the encounter drew national attention and triggered protests. A neighbour, William Bryan, joined the chase and filmed the encounter. RELATED | Ahmaud Arbery went jogging. Why did he die? RELATED | Arbery's mum 'believes there will be justice' A prosecutor initially assigned to the case had used the citizen's arrest law to argue that the shooting was justified. The outcry over the case pushed lawmakers to repeal the 1863 law, which gave citizens in Georgia the right to arrest someone they believe committed a crime. Campaigners said the law was used to round up escaped slaves and justify ...
Striving for a World without Capital Punishment