mistrial

Lil Woody Interrogation Leak Leads To Mistrial Request: Report

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An attorney for defendant Jayden Myrick, aka SetTrip, in the YSL RICO case, has reportedly filed for a mistrial. The report stems from court documents published by Law&Crime Network executive producer Cathy Russon. In them, Myrick’s legal team cites the recent leak of Lil Woody’s three-hour interrogation video. The leak has been spreading all over social media in recent days. The motion says that a court order previously mandated that discovery material not be shared on social media.

New York Times music reporter Joe Coscarelli posted the motion on Twitter as well. He writes, “The leak of this 3+ hour interrogation video regarding Young Thug and YSL — which is now excerpted on every rap gossip blog in existence (with lots wrong/out of context) — has led to a motion for mistrial today by one of the defendants.” During the video, Lil Woody can be seen appearing incredibly nervous as he speaks with police investigators. He didn’t have his lawyer with him at the time.

The Court Motion

The motion cites an order that states parties involved in the case should not disseminate discovery material on social media. The request explains, “On or about Friday, February 17, 2023, discovery material was disseminated on social media in clear violation of said Order. While said evidence may not directly implicate my client, it along with all of the publicity and courtroom incidents since the start of this trial that have not been the result of any conduct of my client, Jayden Myrick, make it impossible for him to receive a fair trial, as well as a jury that is honestly and truly fair and impartial. WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests a hearing in this matter instanter, and, that the case against him specifically, be dismissed with prejudice.”

Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, who is not currently seeking a mistrial, says that he’s still “shocked and disappointed”. “The release of this video harms Mr. Williams a great deal. These are just stories,” he told Coscarelli before adding, “We need a trial by a fair and impartial jury.” Cathy Russon says that the parties are at least two months away from finalizing a jury.

[Via]

T.I. & Tiny’s Lawsuit Over OMG Dolls Declared Mistrial

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The judge for T.I. and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris‘s lawsuit against a toymaker has declared a mistrial. The ruling was handed down after jurors heard a woman testifying she “did not want to support a company that steals from African Americans and their ideas.”

The woman, Moneice Campbell, gave her testimony via recorded video. She added that “people often steal from the black community and make money off of it.”

Senior U.S. District Judge James V. Selna declared the mistrial after hearing arguments from the company, MGA Entertainment’s lawyers. They held that “inflammatory” testimony about cultural appropriation had ruined their chances of a fair trial. They also labeled the comments a “rant” that is prejudicial against the defendants.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 22: Tameka “Tiny” Cottle and T.I. attend the 51st NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/FilmMagic)

The judge had previously prohibited discussion about “cultural appropriation” as he found it to be “immaterial and impertinent” to the actual legal issues at play.

Following the ruling, MGA Entertainment provided a statement to Billboard claiming that “diversity has always been a key value” at the company. They added: “We are disappointed that the trial was cut short, but look forward to vindicating our rights in the next trial.”

MGA attorneys also wrote in a motion that challenging the testimony will only draw “further attention to it.”

T.I.’s lawyer, Erin Ranahan, tried to get the judge to reconsider the ruling.

The lawsuit is regarding the use of T.I. and Tiny’s stepdaughter’s likeness. They claim that MGA, in its series of “OMG” dolls, ripped off her look while working in the rap group OMG Girlz.

It’s unclear when a new trial could begin.

[Via]