Young Thug, YSL RICO trial: Court to continue reviewing evidence on Tuesday

FULTON COUNTY, Georgia. – Monday's trial began late because the prosecution arrived late, even though the trial was scheduled to begin at noon. An angry Judge Whitaker adjourned the session so the defendants could have lunch before the trial began.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 12:30pm on Tuesday. Check back here to watch the live stream.

I spent much of the day reviewing social media posts from a prospective witness, Antonio Sledge, also known as Mounk Tounk. Sledge, who took a plea deal in 2022, has agreed to testify in the case.

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Prosecutors also informed the court of their intention to use video evidence from last year showing the hewn YSL defendant Kahlieff Adams handing Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) a pill in open court.

One of the defense attorneys, however, argued that the state could rely on uncharged post-indictment conduct to bolster its racketeering case, pointing in particular to the video of Adams handing Williams a pill in January 2023.

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Judge Whitaker ruled on some of the post-arraignment acts, finding that there was no evidence that the alleged crimes were part of a conspiracy, but she refrained from ruling on other acts, saying she was still waiting for case law on both sides to support her positions.

Judge Whitaker also considered the extension request filed by Shannon Stillwell's attorney, Doug Weinstein, on Monday. Although Weinstein made compelling arguments in favor of the request, Judge Whitaker did not officially rule on it. Instead, she told Weinstein and the court that she would be closely monitoring the situation. She added that she would intervene if she noticed the prosecution repeating evidence or a witness such as Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland staying on the stand too long.

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Judge Whitaker also informed the prosecution that she did not believe the testimony of another gang expert was necessary at this time.

In addition, Judge Whitaker ordered the prosecution team to complete the additional training on the Brady material that she ordered on August 8. She told the prosecution that they could view the training video in their courtroom with a deputy present. The additional training was ordered after concerns arose that the prosecution may not have turned over some evidence to the defense in a timely manner.

Young Thug and 27 others were charged in 2022 for violating Georgia's RICO, or racketeering, law and committing multiple violent crimes. After the longest jury selection in history (10 months), a trial against Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) and several co-defendants began in November 2023. It is now the longest trial in Georgia history. Prosecutors are attempting to prove that YSL (Young Slime Life) is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes, including murder. The defendants claim that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is the name of a record label founded by Young Thug. Young Thug faces 8 criminal charges. The trial was marred by various disruptions, including illness, the arrest of a juror and an attorney, the stabbing of defendant Shannon Stillwell, the removal of the judge originally assigned to the case, and more.