Jonathan Allen and Rich McKay

(Reuters) – A judge in charge of the trial against three men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arkery, a Black jogger in Glynn county in coast Georgia, said that potential jurors might be asked about their opinions on race as selection started Monday afternoon.

Gregory McMichael (65), his son Travis McMichael (35) and William Bryan (52) are facing murder, aggravated attack and false imprisonment charges in connection with the death of Arbery, 25, on February 23, 2020.

As Judge Timothy Walmsley negotiated with their lawyers over the questions that they might ask potential jurors about Black Lives Matter, they met with three of them in court.

They all pleaded guilty to the charges that they confronted Arbery while he was running on Satilla Shores (a predominantly white neighborhood in Glynn county) in an attempt to make a citizen’s arrest. Travis McMichael then shot him in self-defense. If they are convicted, they will spend life behind bars.

Bryan captured the encounter on his cell phone, sparking outrage in the United States. The three white men were not charged by the local prosecutor who had also previously worked with Gregory McMichael. After the killing, Bryan was not charged.

Judge Walmsley stated that he will allow some questions from defense attorneys about jurors’ opinions on race, but would limit time on this topic. He stated that Black Lives Matter was not an accused in the case and is not part of the criminal prosecution.

Arbery’s relatives and supporters claim he was targeted for being Black. Bryan and McMichaels were said to be suspicious that Arbery entered a house nearby, which was being built. According to the owner of the property, Arbery was believed to have entered the site in order for water. Nothing was taken.

U.S. Department of Justice prosecutor also indicted the three accused with federal hate crime and attempted kidnapping. Federal trials are scheduled to start next February.

In the historic 19th century district of Brunswick, a brick courthouse is being used as a venue for the state trial. Brunswick (NYSE:) is a port-city home to approximately 16,000 residents. On the outside lawn, dozens of supporters of Arbery were chanting and holding signs that read “Justice for Arbery” Clergy members prayed for justice.

Finding 12 jurors or four alternates can take days, if not weeks. Around 1,000 people in Glynn county, which has 69% and 27% white residents, received summonses to jury.

Linda Dunikoski (lead prosecutor) objected on Monday to certain questions the defense wanted to address about potential viewers’ views on race or politics.

“Black Lives Matter does not have anything to do with the particular case,” she stated.

Franklin Hogue was a Franklin McMichael lawyer. He said that it is important to determine if jurors may have biases in favor of white defendants.

He stated to the court, “We know that race in this case is an issue.”