In a dramatic turn of events, the YSL RICO trial, involving Atlanta rapper Young Thug, continues with its fourth day, as a new person of interest is unveiled. Meanwhile, concerns over jury privacy have emerged after a media mishap.
With Infamous Sylvia on the lookout, the trial commenced on Thursday, Nov. 30, with the Judge addressing an incident from the previous day when a media pool camera inadvertently displayed images of two jurors.
Prosecutors expressed worries about potential screenshots circulating on the internet and the potential for unwanted contact with the jurors’ friends and family. Consequently, the Judge ordered the trial to proceed without further attention to the mishap.
Thus far, two witnesses have taken the stand, with a mysterious third witness yet to be revealed.
The first witness, an unnamed woman previously employed as a “House Mother” at the adult entertainment club Pink Pony in Brookhaven, GA, recounted a harrowing incident from 2013. She described how she was rear-ended and subsequently robbed of her vehicle by a young man.
Trontavious Stephens, a suspected gang member who is not among the six defendants, emerged as a person of interest in this case.
The second witness called was Captain Pettis of the Atlanta Police Department. He admitted to failing to include in the police report that Stephens was a suspected gang member. Additionally, Captain Pettis neglected to report the specific gang signs he witnessed at the time.
As the jury hears further testimonies in the high-profile YSL Trial, it is becoming apparent that the case extends beyond the initial six defendants. The involvement of Trontavious Stephens, a suspected gang member, adds a new layer of intrigue and demands a closer examination of potential links to organized crime.
Updated By: Kynedei Iman Hobbs (11/30/23 at 4:30 pm)
Infamous Sylvia is back for day three of the YSL Trial involving rapper Young Thug at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta. The trial took an intriguing turn as Atlanta Police Department Gang Expert and the first State Witness, Mark Belknap, took the stand
On Nov. 29, Mark Belknap took the stand in which he built the credibility of his expertise. Mark attended the National Gang Conference in California and completed Post-Certified Police Officer Standard training.
Belknap began by explaining the significance of the “Gang Triangle,” which comprises “Gang,” “Person,” and “Crime.” This triangular interaction helps decode and understand the dynamics of gang-related activities. By shedding light on this concept, Belknap aimed to equip the jury with the tools necessary to interpret evidence and testimonies throughout the trial.
Furthermore, Belknap delved into the world of gang jargon, unraveling its complexities and hidden meanings. For instance, he revealed that “Bleveland,” refers to “Cleveland St.,” in the rapper Young Thug’s hometown.
However, due to his alleged affiliation with the Blood gang, it is common knowledge in gang culture to replace the letter “C” with “B.” Similarly, Belknap drew parallels to Crip members who substitute ‘C’ in words beginning with the letter “B.”. The clarity provided by Belknap’s explanation of gang jargon helps to bridge understanding between the courtroom and the wider public.
Beyond decoding specific terminology, Belknap also elucidated the differences between traditional and hybrid gangs.
Traditional gangs, such as the Bloods and the Crips organizations, have strict structures, protocols, and policies in place. On the other hand, hybrid gangs operate more casually and lack the same level of structure and organization.
Belknap highlighted that non-traditional gangs, like the one being examined in the YSL trial, often have a higher turnover rate, attracting younger members who may have different reasons for joining than traditional gang members.
The day’s proceedings caught the attention of onlookers as Mariah The Scientist and Young Thug donned matching green outfits. This fashion choice could be interpreted as a nod to Young Thug’s iconic slang, “slime,” which is widely recognized in his music and associated with the YSL music label.
Updated By: Kynedei Iman Hobbs (11/29/23 at 3:30 pm)
The YSL RICO trial has resumed, revealing more intimate details about the life of Young Thug. Attorney Brian Steel provided an in-depth look into the Atlanta rap artist’s upbringing, emphasizing his musical inspirations and challenging the perception of his involvement in criminal activities.
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the YSL RICO trial officially resumed with embedded reporter Infamous Sylvia providing SOHH a first-hand account of the courtroom action.
Attorney Brian Steel spent over two hours in his opening statements detailing the challenging upbringing Jefferey “Young Thug” Williams’ faced in one of Atlanta’s poorest neighborhoods. Steel’s opening statement captivated the audience, vividly depicting Young Thug’s childhood growing up on Cleveland Avenue in Atlanta. Williams faced bullying, poverty, and adversity in his household alongside six sisters and two brothers.
As Williams watched just steps away, Steel testified of how music was the only path to escape from the dire circumstances. Thug drew inspiration from rap legends Lil Wayne and Tupac. Steel strategically aimed to connect with the jury, composed primarily of middle-aged black women, who may have a shared family history.
One notable revelation during the trial was Williams’ explanation of the origins of the name “Thug.”
Contrary to popular belief, Steel announced that name was an acronym for “Truly Humble Under God,” showcasing a new perspective on his artist persona.
Throughout the proceedings, Young Thug was described by Infamous Sylvia as an attentive and engaged presence in the courtroom. He listened intently, nodding in agreement as Steel shared his story and otherwise passive, much like he did on the previous trial date.
Further testimonies shed light on the relationship between Young Thug and his co-defendants. Steel, who testified for almost two hours, sought to distinguish and sever the rappers’ connection to the crimes of his co-defendants. He explained that, though they all came from the same area, Thug doesn’t “know” the defendants.
This was confirmed in a prior interview between Infamous Sylvia and the father of defendant Rodalius Ryan. His father confirmed during the interview that his son admired Young Thug solely for his music and had no personal association with him.
However, the rapper’s connection with co-defendant Shannon Stillwell was evident through a mention of his name in a song with rapper Wunnie Lee, where lyrics state their affiliation with each other. The lyrics state:
“ Where you from? Im from Bleveland. Throw your set up (YSL!)… the opps hate the crew we gettin’ this paper and we duckin’ cases… Free Lil Shannon he the one that had them runnin’ with that cannon.”
– Where You From? by Slime Life Shawty
Support for Young Thug came in the form of his family, including his mother and girlfriend, Mariah The Scientist. It remains unclear whether Kevin Liles, who spoke favorably of Thug’s character during Monday’s hearing, attended the trial on this day.
The trial took an unexpected turn when the prosecuting attorney, Adriane Love, motioned for a mistrial after Steel presented Instagram page screenshots as evidence. The outcome of this motion is yet to be determined.
Updated By: Kynedei Iman Hobbs (11/28/23 at 5:57 pm)
Young Thug and five co-defendants faced opening statements in the YSL RICO trial on Monday, Nov. 27. In an eyebrow-raising moment, the state prosecutor referred to YSL members as animals, calling Thug “the leader of the wolfpack.”
Jeffrey “Young Thug” Williams, his five co-defendants, Judge Glanville, and a diverse jury were empaneled on Day 1 of what is expected to be a high-stakes courtroom showdown. Infamous Sylvia, who has covered the courtroom action since proceedings began, provided first-hand accounts to SOHH.
The families of the accused were in attendance, along with record executive Kevin Liles, and Thug’s girlfriend, Mariah The Scientist. The “Spread Thin” singer has shown support throughout the YSL case since Thugger was initially indicted on RICO charges. She has publicly worn “Free Thugger” T-shirts at her concerts and broadcast displays that state “Free YSL.”
Kevin Liles testified to Young Thug’s character during early hearings, telling the court “I’m willing to back him personally and professionally.” He spoke to Infamous Sylvia about the racial biases present in the state’s prosecution. Comparing the treatment of rap artists with that of rock artists, he said “If this were rockstars on trial, we wouldn’t be here.”
The prosecution aimed to paint the narrative that YSL is a criminal organization, with Young Thug as its leader. The state has prepared a case with song lyrics as evidence along with testimony by over 200 witnesses.
State prosecutor Adriane Love opened with a shaky start. Defense attorneys immediately pointed out misleading and inaccurate information in her presentation.
The defense also raised complaints about the prosecution’s failure to submit required documents for the opening statements. This led to a motion for a mistrial which the judge denied. The prosecution was given additional time to submit the documents, causing a delay in the proceedings.
In an inflammatory moment in her presentation, Love referred to Young Thug as “the leader of the wolf pack,” seeking to tie him to various crimes allegedly committed by YSL members. Young Thug, visibly offended, maintained a stoic demeanor as Love made a derogatory reference to Disney’s The Jungle Book.
Maxwell Shardt, Esq. the attorney for defendant Shannon Stillwell, presented his opening statements in the afternoon on Day 1. He defended Stillwell, who was accused of murdering a rival. Shardt suggested that witnesses who testified against Stillwell were felons motivated to have their own sentences reduced.
Shardt admitted that Stillwell was guilty of selling drugs but that he was not a murderer. He painted the picture of Stillwell as a victim who grew up in poverty who was forced into a lifestyle of crime to survive.
Among the co-defendants, Rodalius Ryan’s case is being reviewed by an appeals court, where a witness has disputed his involvement with YSL. Marquavius Huey has been charged with theft, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm, and other criminal activities.
Diamonte Kendrick, known as Yak Gotti, faces pending murder charges while already serving time for a separate case. Shannon Stillwell, considered a “top commander” for YSL, is also being charged with murders. Quantavious Nichols, charged with murder as well, allegedly participated in a shooting alongside Stillwell.
Young Thug is charged with leading the alleged criminal organization. The prosecution intends to present song lyrics as evidence to support their claims that he is the head of the racketeering group.
Judge Glanville said he would allow the lyrics to be used “conditionally” after prosecutors argued a motion on Nov. 8, in the Fulton County Courtroom. Prosecutors argued that lyrical evidence would prove that YSL is an organized criminal enterprise engaged in violent crime with Young Thug at the helm.
Prosecutors presented a deck containing seventeen (17) song lyrics referencing acts of violence, criminal activities, and allegiance to their crew.
Songs like “BAD BOYS,” featuring Juice WRLD and Young Thug are being used as lyrical evidence against YSL to show the nature of the activities of the criminal enterprise. Lyrics are also being presented to imply Young Thug’s involvement as the leader. In the song “Who” with Future and Young Thug, he raps:
“I’m at the top with bro though. Ooh, head honcho, hold up, kick in your mom door, shoot with the .44.”
These lyrics potentially implicate Young Thug as the leader of the alleged “YSL Gang” and suggest a willingness to engage in violent acts.
Young Thug has been imprisoned since May 2022 when he and fellow rapper Gunna were two of 28 people indicted in Georgia on conspiracy to violate the RICO Act.
The YSL members were named in a RICO indictment for murder, assault, robbery, and more. According to media reports, locals say the crackdown was a long time coming.
In August 2022, District Attorney Fanni Wllis, who was presiding over Young Thug and Gunna’s case, stated her intention to use lyrics in their criminal case. Gunna finally went home after being released from Fulton County Jail on Dec. 14. His sentence was commuted to time served following his guilty plea in the RICO case.
Over the following fifteen months, 22 defendants would be released or plead out of the case.
In a separate case, rapper YNW Melly’s retrial in a double murder case has been pushed to February 2024. This comes after a request from prosecutors, delaying the opening arguments.
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