(Reuters) – Ahmaud Abery, 25, was killed when he, prosecutors claim, was running in a predominantly black neighborhood close to coastal Brunswick (NYSE :), Georgia (February 23, 2020).

Gregory McMichael (65), his son Travis McMichael (35) and William “Roddie Bryan (52) have pleaded guilty to not guilty on nine counts, including murder.

The family told police that they believed Arbery ran from a criminal and wanted to have a citizen arrested. Arbery’s relatives and supporters claim he was attacked because he is Black.

Three men were charged in the same nine cases: one each for malice murder and four for felony murder. Two of these counts are aggravated assault. One count is false imprisonment. And one counts criminal intent to murder a felony.

Malice murder (one count each)

Malice murder refers to the act of causing another person’s death by unlawfully doing so. Malice murder may be committed in an instant or planned years ahead.

Malice murder is a conviction that carries the sentence of death, parole and life in prison. This case is different from other cases where the prosecution seeks the death penalty.

Felony Murder (four charges each)

A felony murder is when someone does a grave or dangerous crime and another person dies.

Two people rob bank branches and then shoot dead a teller. This is the classic example. All those who were involved, regardless of whether they had guns, in the crime are equally guilty, even though only one was actually responsible.

Georgians can punish it by life without parole or parole, death or both.

Aggravated assault (two charges each)

Georgia defines aggravated assault as an attack with intent to commit another crime, such as murder or robbery. A weapon may also be used. You can receive a one-year sentence or a maximum 20 year prison term for each count.

False imprisonment (one count each)

False imprisonment is when someone violates another’s personal freedom, detains, imprisons or confines that person without legal authority. False imprisonment can result in a sentence of one to 10 year imprisonment.

One count for each crime of criminal attempt to commit a felony

A substantial effort is required to do a particular felony offense. The sentence is one year imprisonment or half the time that he/she could have been sentenced for if the crime had been successful.