Brian Steel

Young Thug Trial: Judge Puts Proceedings On Hold As Recusal Motion Goes Under Review

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Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville has put the trial for Young Thug and YSL on hold after the defense filed a motion for him to recuse himself over a controversial ex-parte meeting with the prosecutors and star witness Kenneth Copeland. Glanville says the trial will not resume until a separate judge reviews the case and decides whether he should continue on the bench. Additionally, he’ll be releasing a full transcript of the meeting with Copeland “so everyone will have a chance to look at it.”

The move came as a surprise to both sides of the case. When the prosecution asked how long this will take, Glanville replied: “I don’t know. I don’t have anything to do with that.” The criminal trial has already become the longest-running in Georgia history, going on 18 months with no end in sight.

Read More: TI Thinks Young Thug Is Going To Be Proven Innocent In YSL Trial

Young Thug’s Lawyer, Brian Steel, Arrives At Court

Brian Steel, attorney for rapper Young Thug, arrives at the Fulton County Courthouse on November 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Opening statements are set to begin in the case against 31 year old US rapper Young Thug and 28 others, who are facing a racketeering indictment accusing the defendants of a number of offenses that support an overarching conspiracy charge, including murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing, and theft. (Photo by Christian Monterrosa / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

As for the controversial ex-parte meeting that caused the latest stall, Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, became irate in court, earlier this month, after learning it took place. He accused the judge of working with the prosecution to allegedly coerce Copeland into testifying. In turn, Glanville placed him under arrest for contempt of court and took offense at the suggestion.

Judge Glanville Pauses The Trial

Check out Glanville’s latest update on the ongoing trial above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Young Thug and the YSL trial on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Young Thug Trial: Court Erupts In Laughter After State’s Witness Calls “Lifestyle” A “Banger”

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Young Thug Trial: Judge Refuses To Step Down After Ex-Parte Meeting Debacle

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Judge Ural Glanville is refusing to step down and declare a mistrial in the case against Young Thug and other members of YSL after attorney Brian Steel requested he do so in a motion, this week. The drama stems from a court date, last week, where Steel revealed that he learned of a secret ex-parte meeting between Glanville, prosecutors, and a key witness named Kenneth Copeland. Steel became livid in the courtroom, labeling the discussion illegal and grounds for a mistrial. In response, Glanville held him in contempt of court for not revealing who leaked details of the meeting.

Addressing the request, Glanville said at a hearing on Tuesday that the complaints are “bare assertions and legal conclusions which aren’t sufficient for the court to grant your motion.” In the filing, Steel accused Glanville of working with the prosecution to convict Young Thug. He wrote: “The court has become a member of the prosecution team in an effort to thwart Mr. Williams’ [Young Thug] Constitutional right to a fair trial. This court must be recused, the court and the prosecution have violated Mr. Williams’ rights and the Indictment must be dismissed after a mistrial is declared.”

Read More: Young Thug Trial Takes Bizarre Turn As Lil Woody Tells Prosecutor To Get Away From Him

Young Thug’s Attorney, Brian Steel, Arrives At Court

Brian Steel, attorney for rapper Young Thug, arrives at the Fulton County Courthouse on November 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Opening statements are to begin in the case against 31-year-old US rapper Young. Thug and 28 others, who are facing a racketeering indictment accusing the defendants of a number of offenses that support an overarching conspiracy charge, including murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing, as well as theft. (Photo by Christian Monterrosa / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

Steel further wrote: “Mr. Williams’ trial is constitutionally fractured, unfair and lacks all constitutional, statutory and ethical safeguards and protections of due process of law. No intellectually honest person could believe that coercing witness Copeland to testify in a ‘star chamber’ setting meets Constitutional muster.” He argues that Copeland reneged on a plan to testify in exchange for immunity, but Glanville and the prosecution pressured him into changing his mind again. “This is witness intimidation, coercion and the court has become a member of the prosecution team in assisting the prosecution to induce a material witness to testify,” he explained.

“I’m going to ask him how much pressure, if any, the court put on him, and you’re going to be the one instructing the jury,” Steel later said to Glanville at Tuesday’s hearing. “And I just can’t imagine how that’s fair to Mr. Williams.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Young Thug and the YSL trial on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Young Thug Trial: Court Erupts In Laughter After State’s Witness Calls “Lifestyle” A “Banger”

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Young Thug Trial: Brian Steel Compares The DA To “Communist Russia”

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If you have been keeping up with the Young Thug trial, you know that it has been a bit of a mess. Overall, the prosecution has been disorganized, while the witnesses on the stand have mostly wasted the court’s time. There is a sense that this trial could go on all the way until 2027, which would simply be disastrous. However, it was this week’s events that left the public stunned. By now, you probably know that Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel was held in contempt, and subsequently arrested.

This all stemmed from Steel’s allegation that Judge Ural Glanville and the state held an ex parte meeting in which they allegedly coerced Lil Woody into testifying. Steel was sentenced to 20 days in jail, although he was eventually given bond. Today, Steel continued to work hard for his client. In fact, he continued to accuse the state of coercion, noting that Woody is constantly being swarmed by the DA. This then led Steel to compare the DA and its actions to that of “Communist Russia.”

Read More: Young Thug Trial Update: Judge Excuses Several Jurors

The Young Thug Trial Has Been Wild

It was yet another viral moment in court that just goes to show that Steel is willing to do anything for his clients. He is a lawyer who cares deeply about Thug’s freedom, and in the last week alone, he has been hailed as a hero of sorts. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how this trial moves on from the last week’s events. At this point, trust in the prosecution is at an all-time low, and if things continue this way, the public outcry will only grow louder.

Let us know what you think about the ongoing Young Thug trial, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that the trial has gotten out of hand at this point? How do you feel like this is all going to end? Do you think that Thugger will be free? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

Read More: Young Thug Trial: State Confirms Whether Or Not Gunna Will Be A Witness

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Young Thug’s Attorney Brian Steel Will Avoid Jail For Now As He Appeals His Court Contempt Sentence

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On Monday, June 10, Young Thug’s ongoing YSL Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) trial was interrupted in bizarre fashion when Brian Steel, Young Thug’s attorney, was taken into custody after being held in contempt of court.

According to Billboard, Steel “will not have to report to jail this weekend on criminal contempt charges after the Georgia Supreme Court granted his emergency motion for bond,” a ruling from Wednesday, June 12.

“The decision means that Steel’s jail sentence — 20 days, to be served over ten consecutive weekends starting this Friday — will be put on pause until the Supreme Court rules on his appeal of the contempt order, which his attorneys have argued was an abuse of the judge’s authority,” Billboard relayed.

FOX 5 Atlanta initially reported that Steel’s charge is due to his approaching the bench following a lunch recess and “revealing his knowledge of an ex parte conversation that took place before court” between the Judge Ural Glanville, prosecutors, and witness Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution additionally noted, “It could upend the entire trial, which has already lasted 18 months —making it the longest trial in Georgia’s history.”

See clips of the moment unfolding below.

Young Thug’s Lawyer Granted Bond After 20 Day Jail Sentence

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The Young Thug trial continues to take unexpected turns. The rapper’s lawyer, Brian Steel, confronted both the judge and the prosecution over meeting with a witness in private. The lawyer’s refusal to reveal his source subsequently led to him being charged with criminal contempt. The judge sentenced him to 10 weekends in jail, which translates to 20 days. Steel has now been granted bond, however. This means he won’t have to serve time behind bars.

Steel’s own attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, confirmed this development on Wednesday, June 12. “We are thrilled that Brian will be home with his family for Father’s Day this weekend,” she told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “We appreciate how quickly and thoughtfully our appellate courts handled this unfortunate situation.” It was unclear whether Steel would be granted bond. Prior to being granted bond, he asked if he could serve his jail time alongside his client, Young Thug, so they could continue to work on the case. “Those 20 days consisting of every weekend for the next 10 weekends,” the judge originally ordered. “Tt’s to commence this Friday, June the 14th at 7 p.m. and not to end until Sunday, August the 18th, 2024, at 7 p.m.”

Read More: Young Thug’s Lawyer Brian Steel Hailed As “The Best Attorney Money Can Buy” After Choosing To Spend Jail Sentence With His Client

Young Thug’s Lawyer Will Not Serve Jail Time

 
 
 
 
 
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Brian Steel’s commitment to his client has been ironclad. The lawyer spoke highly of Young Thug during an interview with 11Alive in 2023. He not only refuted the charges made against Thug, but made a case for the rapper being a hero. “[He’s] wrongly charged,” he asserted. “I think a person like Jeffery Williams is a hero and not a criminal… He has given jobs to people only in the inner community. He’ll only hire from the inner communities in his studios or his rap label.” Furthermore, Steel praised Thug for being a good role model on the youth. “He goes around our country,” the lawyer claimed. “And he tells people, ‘Hustle doesn’t mean sell drugs.’”

Young Thug has been similarly complimentive of Steel. He even gave a shout out to the lawyer on his 2018 song “Oh Okay.” The rapper used Steel as one of the many examples of his lavish lifestyle. “Cop a Bugatti out of there. I got on white, I can’t kneel,” he raps. “Pour out the pint, watch it spill, yeah (Oh, oh, okay). My lawyer Brian Steel, yeah (Okay).” Gunna and Lil Baby are the other artists on the song, which subsequently gives “Oh Okay” a complicated historical context. Gunna was part of the YSL indictment. He decided to cop a plea deal, however, to avoid prison time. The rapper’s decision has led to widespread speculation that he “snitched” on Thug. He adamantly denies this.

Read More: Young Thug Trial: Judge Determined To Find Out Who Told Brian Steel About Controversial Ex Parte Meeting

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YSL Trial Update: Judge Glanville Determined To Find Out Who Told Young Thug’s Lawyer About Controversial Private Meeting

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Mother of Murder Victim Testifies in YSL Rico Trial

Judge Ural Glanville has his sights set on who informed Brian Steel, Young Thug’s attorney, about the ex parte meeting with himself, the prosecution, and controversial witness Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland. Yesterday(June 11), Judge Granville announced a Show Cause order to everyone present for the conversation to prove that they were not the source of the leaked information or they will be held in contempt.

The meeting is scheduled to be held on June 25th.

On Monday, Steel demanded a mistrial in court after finding out about the ex parte meeting. Copeland decided not to testify, even after taking an immunity which required his testimony on the stand.

“You’re not supposed to have communication with a witness who’s been sworn,” Steel argued. “… If that’s true what this is is coercion, witness intimidation, ex parte communications that we have a constitutional right to be present for.”

“I still want to know, how did you come upon this information,” Glanville demanded. “Who told you?” Glanville held Steel in contempt of court, sentencing him to 10 weekends in jail. “You don’t get to extort the court. It doesn’t work that way,” he said. Steel also requested that he spend the jail time in the same cell as Young Thug if his appeal doesn’t go through.

The YSL/Young Thug RICO trial is the longest-running proceeding in Georgia’s history.

The post YSL Trial Update: Judge Glanville Determined To Find Out Who Told Young Thug’s Lawyer About Controversial Private Meeting first appeared on The Source.

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Young Thug Trial: Judge Determined To Find Out Who Told Brian Steel About Controversial Ex Parte Meeting

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Judge Ural Glanville intends to hold a meeting to get to the bottom of who told Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, about the controversial ex parte meeting with himself, the prosecution, and witness Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland. On Tuesday, he announced in an order to show cause that everyone present for the conversation will have to demonstrate they didn’t leak the information or otherwise be held in contempt. The meeting will go down on June 25th.

When Steel learned about the ex parte meeting, he became furious in the courtroom on Monday, demanding a mistrial and labeling it unconstitutional. Copeland previously planned not to testify after agreeing on an immunity deal that relied on taking the stand. “You’re not supposed to have communication with a witness who’s been sworn,” Steel argued. “… If that’s true what this is is coercion, witness intimidation, ex parte communications that we have a constitutional right to be present for.”

Read More: Young Thug Trial: Lil Woody Continues Trolling Prosecutors With His Testimony

Brian Steel, attorney for rapper Young Thug, right, arrives at the Fulton County Courthouse on November 27, 2023, in Atlanta. Georgia. Opening statements are set to begin in the case against 31-year-old US rapper Young. Thug and 28 others, who are facing a racketeering indictment accusing the defendants of a number of offenses that support an overarching conspiracy charge, including murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing, as well as theft. (Photo by Christian MONTERROSA / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

“I still want to know, how did you come upon this information,” Glanville fired back. “Who told you?” He eventually decided to hold Steel in contempt of court, sentencing him to 10 weekends in jail. “You don’t get to extort the court. It doesn’t work that way,” he said. Steel also successfully requested that he spend the jail time in the same cell as his client if his appeal fails.

Thug’s trial kicked off back in November 2023 and has already become the longest-running proceeding in Georgia’s history. Be on the lookout for further updates on Young Thug, Brian Steel, and the YSL RICO trial on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Young Thug’s Lawyer Brian Steel Taken Into Custody After Accusing Judge And The State Of Coercing Witnesses

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Kodak Black’s Lawyer Speaks Up For Brian Steel After Young Thug’s Attorney Is Taken Into Custody

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Kodak Black’s lawyer, Bradford Cohen, has spoken out in defense of Brian Steel, the attorney for Young Thug who was taken into custody during the YSL Rico trial on Monday. After a fierce clash with Judge Ural Glanville, he was found in contempt of court. Steel was livid after learning of a conversation that took place between Glanville, prosecutors, and one of the state’s star witnesses prior to the court date.

“This case and judge is off the reservation,” Cohen wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in response to the news. “This is an instant mistrial. I cannot believe the Judge thinks taking a defense atty into custody isn’t a mistrial. BRIAN STEELE [sic] is a real one. Defense lawyers across the country should be terrified by the lack of judicial knowledge.”

Read More: Young Thug’s Lawyer Brian Steel Taken Into Custody After Accusing Judge And The State Of Coercing Witnesses

Brian Steel Arrives At Courthouse For YSL Trial

Brian Steel, attorney for rapper Young Thug, arrives at the Fulton County Courthouse on November 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Opening statements are set to begin in the case against 31-year-old US rapper Young Thug and 28 others, who are facing a racketeering indictment accusing the defendants of a number of offenses that support an overarching conspiracy charge, including murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing, and theft. (Photo by Christian Monterrosa / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

As for the incident in the courtroom on Monday, Glanville became furious when Steel questioned him about the aforementioned conversation. “I still want to know, how did you come upon this information,” Glanville reiterated as Steel ranted about it being unconstitutional. “Who told you?” He later added: “You don’t get to extort the court. It doesn’t work that way.”

Bradford Cohen Reacts To Brian Steel’s Arrest

Steel eventually returned to the courtroom and received a sentence of 10 weekends in jail. If his appeal falls through, he’ll spend them with Thug behind bars. Be on the lookout for further updates on Bradford Cohen as well as Brian Steel and the YSL trial on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Young Thug’s Lawyer Brian Steel Returns To Court Following Short-Lived Arrest

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Why Was Young Thug’s Lawyer Arrested?

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The judge presiding over Young Thug’s lengthy racketeering trial held the musician’s lawyer in contempt on Monday, as reported by AJC. This came after being confronted about a conversation reportedly held between himself, prosecutors, and one of the state’s star witnesses. After refusing to tell Judge Ural Glanville how he learned of the meeting, Brian Steel was escorted out of the courtroom. Steel claimed the meeting occurred in the judge’s chambers before court began. Glanville sentenced him to spend the next 10 weekends at the Fulton County Jail, totaling 20 days. Moreover, Steel was ordered to report to the troubled Rice Street facility by 7 p.m. Friday but requested to spend the weekends with his client at the Cobb County Jail to work on their case. Glanville agreed and offered to talk to the sheriff.

Read More: Young Thug’s Lawyer Brian Steel Hailed As “The Best Attorney Money Can Buy” After Choosing To Spend Jail Sentence With His Client

Contempt Of Court

Brian Steel, the lawyer for Young Thug, was held in contempt of court by Judge Ural Glanville after refusing to disclose how he obtained information about a private meeting held in the judge’s chambers. Steel claimed the meeting, which included the judge, prosecutors, and a key witness, occurred before court proceedings began. Judge Glanville demanded Steel reveal the source of his information. However, Steel declined, leading to his contempt charge and subsequent sentence of 20 days in jail, to be served over 10 weekends.

Controversial Communication

The controversy began when Steel learned of an ex parte conversation involving Kenneth Copeland, a key witness who had refused to testify despite an immunity deal. Furthermore, Steel argued that the conversation between the judge, prosecutors, and Copeland was improper. He then accused the court of coercion and witness intimidation. Judge Glanville, however, emphasized the confidentiality of such communications. Finally, he expressed concern over the leak of this information, which led to Steel’s contempt charge.

Read More: Young Thug Trial: Lil Woody Takes Jail Time Over Testifying

Defense Attorney’s Stand

Steel’s refusal to disclose his source led to his removal from the courtroom. Fortunately, he was later allowed back in at the request of lead prosecutor Adriane Love. The courtroom saw heightened tensions, with Young Thug’s other attorney, Keith Adams, objecting to proceeding without Steel. Judge Glanville insisted that the trial continue and admonished Adams for attempting to “extort the court.” The judge’s decision to hold Steel in contempt was supported by legal precedent, which allows courts to compel obedience to their orders and control the conduct of individuals involved in judicial proceedings.

The arrest of Brian Steel sparked outrage among the legal community, with several Atlanta attorneys advocating for his release. Marietta attorney Ashleigh Merchant, representing Steel, requested Judge Glanville recuse himself from the contempt case, arguing that a neutral judge should hear the matter. The legal community, including Steel’s wife Colette Resnik Steel, voiced their support, stressing the difficulties faced by criminal defense attorneys and condemning Steel’s treatment.

Implications For The Trial

Steel’s arrest is not the first disruption in the high-profile trial of Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. The trial, which has already faced numerous delays and issues, is expected to continue well into the next year. Prosecutors allege that Williams is the leader of the “Young Slime Life” gang, involved in various criminal activities. Jury selection took ten months, and the trial has seen fewer than 80 of the prosecution’s over 200 witnesses testify so far. Despite the turmoil, Judge Glanville has maintained that the proceedings will not be halted.

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Why Is Young Thug’s Lawyer Brian Steel Going To Jail?

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After being removed from the courtroom and found in contempt of court by Judge Ural Glanville yesterday, Young Thug’s defense attorney Brian Steel has been sentenced to 20 days in jail. According to local news, Steel was found in contempt of court after confronting the judge about a secret meeting with another defendant and requesting a transcript of the meeting’s minutes.

When Glanville instead questioned Steel how he found out about the meeting, Steel refused to answer, prompting Glanville to have him taken into custody. He ordered Steel to be held at Fulton County Jail for 20 days. In order to continue working on the case, they’ll all be served on weekends. Steel promised to appeal the contempt decision, but asked that he be allowed to spend his sentence with his client Thug, so that they could continue to work on the case — a request the judge granted.

News of the finding drew criticism both online and at the courtroom itself, with a number of lawyers protesting and demanding a mistrial. Steel’s wife and law partner, Colette Resnick Steel, filed the appeal along with a motion for bond.

Young Thug is on trial for alleged violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The state alleges that Thug is the leader of a criminal organization, YSL, operating under the guise of a record label. Prosecutors say YSL is responsible for a crime wave across Atlanta, including murder, assault, robbery, and drug dealing.