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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 embarrassment erupted after the second witness to testify Tuesday, Capt. Pettis, said he saw a group of men showing gang hand signals and later admitted under cross-examination that he had “no idea” what the signs meant .
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The jury in the trial was unmasked on video, but the case continues anyway
At the start of Thursday’s trial, Judge Glanville began by reminding the media: “Please make sure you do not take any photographs… of any of our jurors. We had a problem with that yesterday.” He admitted that yesterday’s incident “was not intentional.”
Shortly after the day’s first witness was called to the stand, the court recessed and attorneys met privately with the judge.
Both parties returned to their seats and the judge then said: “I believe we raised this issue yesterday with a request to be more mindful of the placement of cameras.”
But a prosecutor stood up and pointed out that after speaking to the media in court last night, “the state has been informed that this particular post has been shared multiple times and raises concerns about the integrity of this case.”
Kelly Rissman1 December 2023 09:00
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Who testified on Thursday?
The prosecution called six witnesses to testify – only one of whom was shown on camera, probably as a precautionary measure after the gaffe when the camera showed the jury yesterday.
Kelly Rissman1 December 2023 07:00
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Probationary period: 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.
Kelly Rissman1 December 2023 05:00
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The detective discussed YSL identifiers
In court Wednesday, Detective Belknap discussed some identifiers often associated with YSL, which he described as a street gang.
He described a hand sign that represents the letters Y, S and L with fingers. The detective also talked about another hand signal where the index finger is under the nose.
He also mentioned certain tattoos and items of clothing, such as a hoodie or hat that said “Slime.”
The word “SLATT,” which apparently stands for “slimy life all the time,” is often found in graffiti and tattoos.
Kelly Rissman1 December 2023 04:00
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What has happened in the YSL process so far?
Young Thug’s highly anticipated trial got off to a slow and rocky start – consistent with a pretrial, as jury selection took nearly 11 months.
The prosecution portrayed the rapper as the “head” of the so-called “criminal street gang” YSL (Young Slime Life) and used song lyrics in their opening statement to bolster their case, but not without many delays and a heated judge Ural Glanville, who appeared on Monday seemed annoyed with both sides.
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 pleaded not 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.
The trial began nearly an hour and a half behind schedule because one juror arrived late.
Kelly Rissman1 December 2023 03:00
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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.
Kelly Rissman1 December 2023 02:00
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Thursday’s courtroom drama after the jury was caught on camera
Shortly after the day’s first witness was called to the stand, the court recessed and attorneys met privately with the judge.
Both parties returned to their seats and the judge then said: “I believe we raised this issue yesterday with a request to be more mindful of the placement of cameras.”
But a prosecutor stood up and pointed out that after speaking to the media in court last night, “the state has been informed that this particular post has been shared multiple times and raises concerns about the integrity of this case.”
“That’s part of your argument,” Judge Glanville said, adding: “If you make it an issue, I think you’re drawing attention to yourself even though it’s not strictly necessary.”
“It is very likely” that the jurors were contacted by family members or friends, which “could affect their ability to be fair,” the prosecutor continued.
Kelly Rissman1 December 2023 01:00
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ICYMI: Statement from Mellissa Rosser this morning
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Who testified on Thursday?
The prosecution called six witnesses to testify – only one of whom was shown on camera, probably as a precaution after the gaffe when the camera showed the jury yesterday.
Kelly Rissman30. November 2023 11:00 p.m
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The court will not sit on Friday
Court adjourned for today and will return on December 4th.
The judge told jurors they would have to let him know “immediately” if anyone contacted them on social media, perhaps in anticipation that someone would try to contact the jurors after some of their faces accidentally appeared yesterday could be seen on the camera.
Kelly Rissman30. November 2023 10:55 p.m