William "Roddie" Bryan told investigators he overheard Travis McMichael use a racial epithet after fatally shooting a black man in Glynn County, Ga., in February, according to court testimony Thursday by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation official.

Bryan told law enforcement officials that McMichael uttered "f****** n*****" after shooting Ahmaud Arbery three times with his Remington 870 shotgun and prior to police arriving on the scene.

McMichael, along with his father Gregory McMichael, and Bryan all face murder charges in the death of Arbery who was killed Feb. 23.

At one point attorneys for Travis McMichael asked Dial if he thought their client was trying to protect himself from Arbery, the agent responded, "I don't believe it was self-defense by Mr. McMichael, I believe it was self-defense by Mr. Arbery."

Dial said Bryan got involved early in the pursuit after seeing the McMichaels chase Arbery.