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The highly anticipated trial of rapper Young Thug is taking place in an Atlanta, Georgia courtroom after a nearly year-long delay.
In May 2022, Young Thug, real name Jeffery Williams, was arrested along with 27 other defendants and charged in a massive RICO indictment.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is using the same law to prosecute Donald Trump in his election interference case in Georgia, accused the suspects of being part of a criminal street gang called YSL, or Young Slime Life.
According to prosecutors, the gang is responsible for a number of violent crimes, including murders, shootings, car thefts and extortion.
Young Thug has denied the allegations and insisted that YSL is simply Young Thug’s record label – Young Stoner Life.
After several defendants reached plea deals or had their cases dismissed, the Grammy Award-winning rapper and five others are finally going to trial.
The first expert testified on Wednesday. Detective Mark Belknap was frequently interrupted by objections from the defense, but managed to explain his discovery of YSL, which he described as a street gang, and provide jurors with the group’s identifiers.
The trial was delayed again after some jurors in the front row were “inadvertently recorded,” the judge said.
Important points
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What is a “studio gangster”?
Detective Belknap said the term is used when someone “appears” to be violent upon entering the studio, but that may not be the case in real life.
He said naming anyone was an “insult” and a “huge sign of disrespect” to those actually involved in a criminal gang.
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What are YSL members accused of?
The YSL members named in the indictment are accused of conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
The law is similar to its federal counterpart, used to prosecute large organizations such as the Mafia.
According to the indictment, YSL employees “conspired to collude with others to illegally obtain money and property through a pattern of extortion activities.”
It is alleged that YSL members have engaged in murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft, drug trafficking, car theft and witness intimidation.
Other activities include “posting messages, pictures, videos and songs, showing loyalty to the company and a willingness to commit violence on its behalf.”
Prosecutors claim they can prove that some of the group’s lyrics are linked to crimes they are accused of.
Through these and other activities, the gang aimed to “preserve, protect and enhance the company’s reputation, power and territory,” prosecutors said.
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Born Jeffrey Lamar Williams in 1991, Young Thug is an Atlanta-born rapper. He also goes by the name Slime.
After beginning his career at the age of 19, he signed with the Gucci Mane record label and went on to become one of the most influential artists in the contemporary hip-hop and trap music scene.
His first two albums, 2019’s So Much Fun and 2021’s Punk, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, as did his 2021 collaborative compilation album with Gunna, Slime Language 2.
Young Thug has also been involved in several collaborations that have brought him several number one hits.
These include guest appearances on Camila Cabello’s “Havana” in 2018, Travis Scott and MIA’s “Franchise” in 2020, and Drake and Future’s “Way 2 Sexy” in 2021, all of which topped the Billboard Hot 100.
He also co-wrote the hit “This Is America” with Childish Gambino, whose real name is Donald Glover, which became the first hip-hop track to be named Song of the Year at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
(Invision 2021)
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According to an expert, YSL has connections to other gangs
The 30 Deep gang was based in the Mechanicsville neighborhood and consisted of over 100 members, according to the detective. This gang was affiliated with the YSL, ROC and Goodfellas gangs, Detective Belknap added.
He said 30 Deep can be identified by his distinctive hand signs, red bandanas, graffiti and tattoos.
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The detective uncovered the roots of YSL
Detective Belknap described what he found about YSL:
- It was founded at the end of 2012
- It has over 100 members and employees
- Many YSL members previously claimed to be members of the ROC crew
- red and green bandanas were used
- “SLATT” [ slime life all the time] and snake emojis were often used by its members and partners
- The group is sometimes called the “Rudy Gang,” after a deceased member named Rudy
- a rivalry between the Inglewood Family gang, of which Donovan Thomas was allegedly a member
- He said “Young Stoner Life” is not the same as “Young Slime Life.”
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ICYMI: What is the process about?
The rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and 27 other defendants were charged in a sweeping 65-count indictment. Mr. Williams was charged with eight charges, including possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a machine gun. He has pleaded guilty to all counts.
All defendants were accused of extortion. Prosecutors say YSL is a gang; The defense insists it’s just a record label.
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Prosecutor Adriane Love asked the expert: “In your opinion, is Young Slime Life a criminal street gang?”
Detective Mark Belknap replied: Yes, ma’am.
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“Truly humble under God”
A clip of Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, went viral after he told jurors that “Thug” stands for “truly humble under God.”
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According to an expert, YSL has connections to other gangs
The 30 Deep gang was based in the Mechanicsville neighborhood and consisted of over 100 members, according to the detective. This gang was affiliated with the YSL, ROC and Goodfellas gangs, Detective Belknap added.
He said 30 Deep can be identified by his distinctive hand signs, red bandanas, graffiti and tattoos.
Kelly Rissman30. November 2023 01:00
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A “studio gangster” as defined by the witness.
Detective Belknap said the term is used when someone “appears” to be violent upon entering the studio, but that may not be the case in real life.
He said naming anyone was an “insult” and a “huge sign of disrespect” to those actually involved in a criminal gang.
Kelly Rissman29. November 2023 10:45 p.m