“were trying to make a citizens arrest of the man who they claimed”
I’d sure as hell convict them of murder! You make a citizen’s arrest if you catch someone IN THE ACT!
Otherwise, if it escalates to shooting, you are responsible for murder.
According to those involved*, that's what happened.
*who survived
According to the first DA who investigated:
"It appears Travis McMichael, Greg McMichael, and Bryan William were following, in pursuit burglary suspect with solid firsthand probable cause, in their neighborhood, and asking telling him to stop. It appears their intent was to stop and hold this criminal suspect until law enforcement arrived. Under Georgia Law this is perfectly legal"
Obviously, the deceased doesn't get to tell his side of the story.
DA George Barnhill's letter is here:
https://www.scribd.com/document/460352099/FullAhmaud-Arbery-case-Waycross-District-Attorney-explains-in-letter-why-no-one-was-arrested-in-25-year-old-s-shooting-death#fullscreen&from_embed