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Young Thug is heading to trial in a few weeks over the state of Georgia's massive case against the rapper and his YSL crew.
It’s been seven months since the Atlanta native was arrested alongside numerous members of Young Stoner Life Records, also known as Young Slime Life. On May 9, Thug, who was born Jeffrey Williams, was named in District Attorney Fani Willis' 56-count indictment against him plus 27 other YSL members including Gunna, Lil Duke, Yak Gotti and more. While most of the people listed in the indictment only face a couple of charges, Williams is facing over a dozen including charges that were recently added.
Over the past few months, the other members named in the indictment have cut plea deals in order to secure their release from jail. Gunna, who turned himself in a couple days after the indictment was filed, was the first to make an Alford Plea, which means he can maintain his innocence while acknowledging that it’s in his best interest to plead guilty to his sole charge. Others like SlimeLife Shawty, YSL co-founder Walter Murphy and Thug’s own brother Unfoonk have all made similar plea deals. All of them have emphasized that they did not snitch on Thug.
One thing is for sure: It’s going to be a long trial. It’s been estimated that the proceedings for all parties involved could take months to complete. In case you haven’t been keeping up on the case, here’s everything you need to know before Young Thug’s trial begins on January 9.
Who are the key players in the YSL case?
Young Thug and 28 others who identify as members of the alleged street gang Young Slime Life aka YSL. The District Attorney's Office of Fulton County believes Young Thug founded the criminal enterprise in Atlanta back in 2012. They also allege that members are affiliated with the national Bloods gang including Bloods subsets Sex Money Murder or 30 Deep. In 2016, Thug created Young Stoner Life Records via 300 Entertainment. He recruited artists like Sergio Kitchens aka Gunna, Martinez Arnold aka Lil Duke, Wunnie Lee aka SlimeLife Shawty, Deamonte Kendrick aka Yak Gotti, and his brother Quantavious Grier aka Unfoonk, all of which were named in the indictment.
District Attorney Fani Willis has been spearheading the case since the charges were filed in May. She previously alleged that YSL is behind the death of Donovan Thomas Jr. and at least 50 other murders in Atlanta since 2015.
Young Thug's trusted lawyer Brian Steel asserts that his client is innocent of the charges. He represented the Grammy award-winning rapper at least a decade before the RICO charges were brought down. Despite the prosecution's allegation that his involvement would be a "conflict of interest," Steel has maintained his client's innocence since day one and continues to represent his best interests.
What are the charges?
The total list of charges adds up to at least 65 counts. Each of the 28 people named in the indictment have been charged with conspiracy to violate the state's Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). They been accused of contributing to an array of illegal acts to collect money and property. Those criminal offenses include murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft, drug dealing, carjacking, and witness intimidation. There are some crimes that Young Thug has been accused of, like drug possession and threatening to kill someone, but hasn't been charged with. These allegations speak to the District Attorney's overall accusation that Thug and YSL as whole participated in a criminal conspiracy.
One of the standout charges surround the murder of an alleged rival gang leader Donovan Thomas Jr. in 2015. Five members of YSL, including Yak Gotti, were charged in connection to his death. Young Thug also received additional charges following his arrest in May. Upon a raid of his home in Atlanta, Thug was hit with seven felony offenses including Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; VGCSA-Possession Of A Schedule III, Iv Or V Controlled Substance With Intent To Distribute; Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony and Possession Of Sawed-Off Shotgun, Sawed-Off Rifle, Machine Gun, dangerous Weapon, Or Silencer. He also faces three separate charges of Unlawful For Person Employed By/Associated With Criminal Street Gang To Conduct/Participate In Criminal Activity.
In August, the District Attorney's Office filed a new indictment against Thug and YSL that includes a new gang charge, additional drug charges, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a machine gun. Yak Gotti, Shannon Stillwell aka Shannon Jackson or SB, and Quamarvious Nichols aka Qua were named in this indictment. Earlier this month, Williams was hit with three misdemeanor charges of street racing, reckless driving and speeding.
Despite all the charges from the DA's office, Thug will only face eight from the indictment. Those counts include Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute, Possession of Codeine with intent to distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Machine Gun.
What can we expect during the trial?
Jury selection for the trial is expected to begin on January 5, 2023 with opening statements to start on January 9. During a hearing in November, the prosecution had asked to push the trial back to March 2023, but Judge Ural Glanville denied its request. The state also told the court that they should expect to hear testimony from about 300 witnesses.
Eight YSL members have already taken plea deals to avoid trial. Gunna entered an Alford plea, which means he acted in his best interest to plead guilty to his sole charge of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influence & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) but still maintains his innocence in the case. If he's called on to testify during the trial, Gunna will have to appear but he can exercise his Fifth Amendment rights at any time.
Other people who were named in the indictment like co-founder Walter Murphy, Antonio "Mounk Tounk" Sledge and Thug's brother Unfoonk also accepted plea deals in exchange for their freedom. They also can be called on to testify, but they can also plead the Fifth. One co-defendant in particular, Trontavious Stephens aka Slug, accepted a plea deal and made significant admissions in court in order to secure his freedom. Unlike the other aforementioned members, his Fifth Amendment rights were revoked so he has to testify truthfully if he's called on during any future trials.
Other YSL members have rejected plea deals like Tenquarius Mender aka “Nard” and Derontae Bebee. They will go to trial with Young Thug and 12 others in January. So far, six other members have yet to find representation so their trials will be held at a later date. As far as evidence goes, there's plenty of it according to the lengthy indictment. Rap lyrics from Young Thug's songs have been submitted, but Steel and others have argued that using them is a violation of the rapper's First Amendment rights. We'll see if the lyrics will be admissible in court.
What could happen at the end of the trial?
The trial is expected to last six to nine months, but the prosecution recently argued that it could last up to a year. If convicted on a RICO charge, Young Thug can face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Following the verdict, Thug will have to deal with a second trial over a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed by live entertainment company AEG.
Back in August, AEG sued Thug for $6 million after they alleged he failed to honor an agreement they made in 2017 for exclusive concert performances. They're suing for the $5 million advance they gave him plus another million's worth in interest. They were supposed to go to trial back in October before the rapper was arrested on RICO charge. AEG's trial will begin October 24, 2023.