Is Laura Hogue racist? The defense attorney for Greg McMichael in relation to Ahmad Arbery’s murder created controversy after she brought up Arbery’s toenails in her closing argument.
Laura Hogue is a defense attorney for Greg McMichael, his son Travis McMichael, and William Bryan in connection with the murder of Ahmad Arbery.
On February 23, 2020, the three men, who are all White, chased Arbery, a man from the Black community, around the neighborhood of Satilla Shores in Glynn County, Georgia.
It is believed George initiated the chase after he saw Arbery running past his house. His son Travis joined his father. The third suspect, William witnessed the chasing and joined in independently, thinking of it as a burglary situation.
Travis had a shotgun with him when he came out of the vehicle. He and Arbery got into a physical altercation during which Travis shot him in the chest, reported Heavy.com.
Gregory claimed he thought Arbery was trying to steal from his house but the three men are facing nine felony counts including felony murder.
One of their defense lawyers, Ms. Hogue stirred controversy after she made some racist remark in her closing statement in the most recent trial. What did she say?
My heart sank today when defense attorney Laura Hogue thought it was appropriate to comment on #AhmaudArbery’s “long dirty toenails.”
The constant disrespect of Black bodies and disregard for our humanity is deplorable. She should be ashamed of herself.— Angel Jones, PhD (@AngelJonesPhD) November 22, 2021
Is Laura Hogue Racist? Ahmad Arbery Toenails Remark In Trial
Many people are calling Laura Hogue racist following her closing statement in which she said that Ahmed Arbery had ‘long, dirty toenails’ and he was not an innocent victim.
Hogue, in an attempt to prove the innocence of her three clients, tried to picture Arbery as a criminal. According to CNN, she stated that Arbery was turned into a victim but it does not change the real reason for him visiting Satilla Shores with no socks to cover his long, dirty toenails.
The statement elicited audible gasps from the audience. Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, left the courtroom after hearing her remark.
This is an actual attorney in the United States. Arguing self-defense based on “long, dirty toenails.” #AhmaudArbery pic.twitter.com/xcQgvtWDOd
— Axiom Amnesia (@AxiomAmnesia) November 22, 2021
She said the was disturbing and she felt disgusted by it. She also stated that the defense attorney totally disregarded the fact that Arbery was shot to death by bringing up his toenails.
Civil rights attorney Charles Coleman Jr.. commenting on the matter, said it was Hogue’s attempt to trigger the racial tropes and stereotypes that may still be embedded deep down in some of the white jurors.
It is imperative to note that there was just one Black juror among the 12 jurors in the trial.
Hogue’s racist comment did not go unnoticed by other citizens who were not physically present in the courtroom. After watching it on television, they are disparaging her for using racist language.
I condemn the racist language used by attorney Laura Hogue in the #AhmadArbery trial today.
It should be called out by everyone. It’s utterly disgusting race baiting and racist. There are no other words. I hope people will call it out today LOUDLY.
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) November 22, 2021
Laura Hogue Age & Wikipedia
Laura Hogue, whose age appears between 45-55 years old, was an Assistant District Attorney at the Macon Judicial Circuit for around three years.
She left the office to join her husband’s law firm in September 1997. She is also a former President of the Macon Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Furthermore, she is an adjunct professor and teaches criminal defense practices at the Walter F. George School of Law, the same university where she graduated Magna cum laude in 1991.
Who Is Laura Hogue Married To? Husband Details
Laura Hogue is married to her husband Frankin J. Hogue, who is also a lawyer.
The couple runs a law firm, Hogue Hogue Fitzgerald & Griffin. The firm specializes in criminal defense cases. They handle appealed and post-conviction matters in the United States Supreme Court, the George Court of Appeals, and more.