Kendall Parks
Rapper Young Thug, scored a win after the judge ruled cellphones and evidence seized from his home in 2015 can’t be used as evidence in the current RICO case. He also ruled the search unconstitutional.
Updated by Kendall Parks (12/16/2022 at 5:53 pm)
Shortly after Gunna’s release from prison, The “Lifestyle” rapper also seemed to get a win.
The “Relationship” rapper was indicted for eight counts, including street racing, reckless driving, speeding, and more. The Atlanta native’s charges were added on Dec. 13, all misdemeanors.
The YSL crew consisted of about 28 defendants who were facing up to 65 counts of RICO charges.
Jury selection for the trial is expected to start on Jan. 5, 2023, with the trial of Young Thug and the YSL crew starting on Jan. 9, 2023.
Young Thug Back In Court For New Trial Hearing After Gunna’s Release
Young Thug stepped into court just under 24 hours after Atlanta rapper Gunna was released from the Fulton County Jail on December 14, after taking a plea deal in the RICO case, including gang activity.
Updated by Chris Samuel (12/15/2022 at 2 pm)
Atlanta and YSL (Young Stoner Life) rapper Young Thug appeared in court today for a new court hearing for his indictment for RICO charges.
Thugger, real name Jeffrey Williams, appeared for the hearing on Thursday morning along with other YSL members less than 24 hours after fellow YSL member, Gunna was released after taking a plea deal, according to 11Alive News in Atlanta.
The “Surf” rapper was indicted on eight counts. Other members of the YSL crew were also indicted last May. The court hearing follows Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s efforts to use his rap lyrics for evidence.
Young Thug has also been denied bond three times.
Young Thug Denied Bond For Third Time
By Aevum Caelum (08/22/2022 at 4:15 p.m)
Young Thug was denied bond for the third time during the Thursday, August 18 hearing regarding his RICO case. Brian Steel implied the rapper is the victim of a law enforcement vendetta from a 2015 issue.
Denied Once More
Rolling Stone reported that Young Thug was been denied bond for the third time. This happened during the Thursday, August 18 hearing on his RICO case.
His lawyer, Brian Steel, suggested the rapper was the victim of a law enforcement vendetta that stemmed from a 2015 drive-by shooting of Lil Wayne’s tour bus.
Steel brought up the tour bus incident after telling Fulton County Judge Ural Glanville that Young Thug was a “role model” who should be “applauded” – not incarcerated for his ability to endure extreme poverty and adversity to achieve the success he had.
While the lawyer presented arguments for the rapper to be released on strict house arrest, Steel claimed the video, in addition to other discovery evidence turned over by prosecutors, did not support the indictment that landed Young Thug in prison in May 2021 and met with additional charges last week.
During the Thursday hearing, Steel spoke to the court, saying that the video related to Williams’ arrest did not support any new charges claiming he possessed an automatic weapon that day.
In addition, he mentions prosecutor’s recent discovery failed to prove Williams was the individual who allegedly stated in a Jan. 2015 group chat:
“sacrifices must be made, soldiers must fall for the battle to be won.”
Steel brought up the Lil Wayne bus shooting and implied it was not coincidental.
Don Geary, the prosecutor now helming the sprawling RICO case for the Fulton County District Attorney, worked for neighboring Cobb County back in 2015 when he prosecuted YSL-affiliated rapper Jimmy “PeeWee Roscoe” Winfrey for spraying Lil Wayne’s bus with bullets.
“He’s Dangerous”
Lil Wayne was not identified by name in the hearing Thursday, but it was clear he was referring to the incident when Steel accused Geary of settling a score.
The bus shooting was added to the 88-page RICO indictment case and described as an “overt acts” carried out in furtherance of the alleged racketeering conspiracy.
“Mr. Williams has been targeted for about seven years by law enforcement,” Steel said. “Mr. Geary is the one who prosecuted Mr. Winfrey in Cobb County. Mr. Williams was not indicted for that case, but he’s indicted now.”
Geary had defended the underlying indictment, saying his office sought to re-indict Williams with the new charges because Williams is a “dangerous” individual, with the recovered machine gun as alleged proof.
“Mr. Williams is not a convicted felon. He can have weapons. But he can’t have an automatic weapon,” Geary said. “This is a dangerous person…YSL is a dangerous gang, and this is the man who leads that gang, and he’s dangerous.”
Steel argued back:
“The surveillance around the house (shows) a person exit the house – not Mr. Williams – with that gun. That’s not Mr. Williams. So to sit here and say it’s Mr. Williams’ gun is wrong,” the lawyer said. He was referring to a May 9 video of an arrest and the “sacrifices must be made” comment referenced in the indictment.
Still Not Convinced
Steel had proposed how his client should be held while released on house arrest to Judge Glanville.
One of his proposals was a secret location in the Georgia countryside, where “no one knows where he is.”
Another aspect of the proposal was that Young Thug was guarded by professional law enforcement around the clock.
“He should be in a house without any internet, without any electronic media, without any access to anyone except his lawyers,” Steel said. “Jeffery Williams, your honor, he is the most polite. He’s a genius. And he understands that we’re fighting for his life. He would not risk anything on bond.”
Judge Glanville considered the motion and arguments for 30 minutes, and when he returned, he denied the bond without explanation.
Glanville stated he was “still not convinced” that Williams is a candidate for pre-trial release.
DENIED: YSL Young Thug Bond Request Is Rejected
Young Thug had his first bond hearing before a judge at the Fulton County court on June 4.
The bond hearing had testimony from a stellar lineup of witnesses, including music executive Kevin Liles. Others are a 15-year-old motivational speaker and community activists who all argued for the embattled rapper’s release.
However, the judge denied the rapper’s bond. He cited concerns about Thugger being a danger to the community, witnesses, and other people in the indictment.
