prosecutors

Young Thug’s RICO Case: Prosecutors Have Surprisingly Long List Of Witnesses

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The long-awaited YSL RICO trial is scheduled to begin on November 27, and so far, it looks like prosecutors plan to call on quite a few witnesses. Young Thug’s attorney Brian Steel appeared in court today (November 16), requesting that Judge Ural Glanville exclude more than 300 of them at the upcoming trial. Prosecutors then confirmed that there are a whopping 737 of them in total.

Fulton County prosecutor Adriane Love defended the long list of potential witnesses. She claimed that they’re necessary in depicting the “pattern” of alleged racketeering. “It would be different if it were just one murder or just one aggravated assault or just one burglary on the indictment, your honor,” she explained. “But there is—there are lists of acts that we seek to show, to introduce as evidence to show the pattern of racketeering activity that they conspired to commit.”

Read More: Young Thug’s Lawyer Upsets Judge With “Farce” Comment

Prosecutors Have 737 Witnesses

Hip-hop artist Young Thug arrives at a release party for his new album “PUNK” at Delilah on October 12, 2021 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

The news also follows the judge’s decision to allow lyrics to be used against members of YSL in court. Steel pushed for them not to be permitted to no avail. “Your honor, someone can look at that indictment and say one thing’s for sure: that’s not fantasy,” prosecutor Mike Carlson said in court. “People are dead and murdered and a gang exists.” Soon after the judge made his decision, prosecutors called attention to lyrics from Young Thug’s Juice WRLD collab, “Bad Boy.” They accused him of bragging about shooting at YFN Lucci’s mother in the track. “I shot at his mommy, now he no longer mention me,” the lyrics read.

While it’s been speculated that the lyrics reference YFN Lucci, there hasn’t been any official confirmation. Young Thug has remained behind bars since May of 2022. He is also now one of only six remaining defendants awaiting trial. What do you think of prosecutors’ long list of witnesses in Young Thug’s RICO case? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: Young Thug Co-Defendant Yak Gotti Compares Lyrics To Jack Nicholson’s “The Shining”

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YNW Melly’s Prosecutors Call His Defense Team “Flawed”

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YNW Melly’s retrial for double murder is coming up, but not before each side can levy accusations at each other about its previous mistrial. Moreover, his defense team claimed that prosecutors tried to cheat their way to a conviction, according to court documents obtained by HipHopDX. The specific allegations are that lead detective Mark Moretti told a Broward Country Sheriff’s deputy to falsely state their presence as he- with excessive force- executed a search warrant on the rapper’s mother. Not only that, but Assistant State Attorney Michelle Boutros accused Moretti of unethical behavior. However, an internal affairs investigation in the Miramar Police Department concluded that this contradicts her previous testimony about the detective, plus other accounts that he did nothing wrong.

Furthermore, YNW Melly’s attorneys motioned for the court to block the state attorney’s office from the case. The prosecution responded by telling Judge John H. Murphy that this move is misguided. “Defendant’s flawed reasoning and rank speculation provides no grounds to disqualify the Office of the State Attorney […] and accordingly his motion must be DENIED,” they filed. “A court should hesitate to impose the drastic measure of disqualification of Government counsel. Recusal should be granted only when necessary.”

Read More: YNW Melly Smiles In Court As Retrial Is Pushed Back

YNW Melly In 2019

YNW Melly Trial Prosecutors Defense Flawed Hip Hop News
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: YNW Melly attends Murda Beatz 25th Birthday + GRAMMY Celebration on February 08, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for 2wenty 2wenty Music)

With all this considered, Judge Murphy is expected to conclude on these and other motions in about a week. Regardless, though, there are other factors at hand that could continue to push the retrial back. For example, YNW Melly and YNW Bortlen faced accusations of witness tampering recently. These claims came straight from the state’s attorney’s office. While the Florida MC’s legal team called this a “distraction” from the prosecution’s improper behavior, this could prove crucial.

Meanwhile, the “223s” MC’s retrial was supposed to commence tomorrow (Monday, October 9). Due to these controversies and other motions, it will instead take at least one more week for it to begin. Given how chaotic and contentious the last trial was, this should be a similarly difficult case to pin down. On that note, log back into HNHH for more news and updates on YNW Melly.

Read More: YNW Melly Pens Letter To His Father, Says He Will Win Trial

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Prosecutors Allege Fredo Bang Picked Up YNW Melly After Murders Of YNW Juvy & YNW SakChaser

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Broward County Prosecutor Kristine Bradley claimed that Fredo Bang (Fredrick Givens) picked up YNW Melly after he murdered YNW Juvy and YNW SakChaser. In addressing the court on Monday during the first day of Melly’s double murder trial, Bradley explained that Melly sent Bang a pin of his location.

“What you’re also going to find out, is that while Mr. Demons (Melly) is out there on the side of the road at four in the morning, 4:42 specifically, he sends a drop pin– a digital homing beacon to his current location, to one of his friends, Fredrick Givens,” Bradley began.

Read More: YNW Melly’s Team Argues An IG User Admitted To Murders Of YNW Juvy & YNW SakChaser

The Prosecution Brings Up Fredo Bang

She continued: “Fredrick Givens is also involved in the music industry. And he [Melly] asked to be picked up. Fredrick Givens then, about 11 minutes later, is sent another drop pin where Mr. Demons has moved a couple of meters. What you’re going to find out as well though, is these digital leashes they have more than just phone calls…” Check out her full remarks on Fredo Bang above.

In Melly’s defense, his attorney, David A. Howard, argued on Monday that neither the police nor the prosecution has been able to produce a realistic motive for the rapper killing his “best friends.” “Do you know what does require motive?” he asked rhetorically. “A young man to wake up one day and decide that he’s going to kill two of his best friends – best friends that he grew up with; best friends that he hangs out with; best friends who he lives with; best friends whose careers he was trying to launch alongside his own. They have no reason for why he would do this because there is no reason. And if there’s no reason, it doesn’t make sense.” He also cited an Instagram user who posted about committing the murders afterward. Keep an eye out for more updates regarding YNW Melly’s double murder trial as the week continues.

Read More: YNW Melly Appears In Court As Double-Murder Trial Kicks Off: Where To Stream

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Prosecutors Seeking 13 Years For Tory Lanez In Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

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Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reportedly seeking 13 years in prison for Tory Lanez regarding the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez was found guilty on three felony charges, last December, and faces a maximum of 22 years and eight months in prison. Independent journalist Meghann Cuniff shared a memorandum online that the prosecution filed on Tuesday.

“Words have power and the pen is oftentimes mightier than the sword. In this case, Daystar Peterson [Lanez’s legal name] used both,” the memo read. “Not content to have hurt the victim by use of his sword (gun), he also used his pen. His online posts for nearly three years have re-traumatized the victim.”

Read More: Tory Lanez’s New Trial Motion Denied, Rapper’s Attorneys Seek To Have Judge Dismissed

Tory Lanez Performs With DaBaby

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 25: (L-R) Tory Lanez and DaDaby perform onstage during day 3 at Rolling Loud Miami 2021 at Hard Rock Stadium on July 25, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)

The memo adds: “His online reach is worldwide (millions of followers plus casual observers) and the defendant’s statements embolden his followers so that they too have been complicit in re-traumatizing the victim. He is responsible for the effect of his words and his actions.” Later, it cites the release of Lanez’s album, Daystar, and the fact he references the shooting in the lyrics. The memo also brings up his attack on August Alsina in Chicago in September 2022 as another example of his lack of remorse.

The prosecution’s memo arrives after Lanez and his legal team filed to disqualify Judge David Herriford while alleging he displayed favoritism. Herriford presided over Lanez’s two-week trial in December and also recently rejected the rapper’s motion for a new trial. Herriford shot down the accusations in a written order when Lanez filed the motion. “All rulings made by me in this action have been based upon facts and arguments officially presented to me and upon my understanding of the law,” he said. “All statements made by me and all actions taken by me in this proceeding have been done in furtherance of what I believe were my judicial duties.” Lanez’s sentencing will go down on June 13.

Read More: Tory Lanez Attempts To Disqualify Judge Over Favoritism

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Tory Lanez Retrial Request “Lacks Substance,” Prosecutors Say

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The case of Tory Lanez and his shooting of Megan Thee Stallion isn’t over yet, but prosecutors seem determined to uphold the original verdict. Moreover, they expressed that the rapper’s motion for a new trial “lacks substance” according to court law. Los Angeles County prosecutors gave a Response to the Defendant’s Motion for a New Trial, and that motion surfaced on Thursday (April 6). In it, attorneys Kathy Ta and Alexander Bott point to a number of reasons as to why Tory’s request is unfounded. With this development, the court’s response to each side will prove crucial to his accountability

First, prosecutors pointed to the main reason why a defendant may request a new trial: if they can “demonstrate a reversible error or other defect.” Furthermore, the defense team argued for a retrial based on evidence that they didn’t fight back against in court. As such, the prosecution did not identify any significant “error” or “defect” that calls for a retrial. They maintained the defense had the chance to comment on said evidence. Another point they brought up was Lanez’s access to counsel under the Sixth Amendment, which the defense team denied.

Prosecution Blasts Tory Lanez’s Retrial Request

Also, no evidence (including DNA) was determined to be improper in the trial. Not only that, but said evidence wasn’t objected to at trial, making it “proper” in the legal sense. Said conclusions mean that the defense can’t retroactively dismiss the evidence or a faulty proceeding under rule of law. In addition, prosecutors disputed Tory Lanez’s claims that he couldn’t testify and that they violated his rights of due process.

“Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David J. Herriford is scheduled to consider Lanez’s new trial request Monday (April 10) at 10:30 a.m.,” Law & Crime reporter Meghan Cuniff tweeted. “Lanez was to be sentenced that day if Herriford rejects the motion. But the sentencing is now expected to be delayed to late April or early May.” Tory Lanez faces up to 22 years in prison and deportation to Canada ahead of sentencing. For the latest updates on the Tory Lanez case, stick around on HNHH.

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Prosecutor Labels XXXTentacion’s Alleged Killers “Predators”

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Florida prosecutor Pascale Achille called the alleged killers of XXXTentacion “predators” during closing arguments to the jury on Tuesday. In doing so, she played cellphone videos that showed the defendants smiling and dancing just hours after the murder as they flashed $100 bills for the camera. The three men are co-defendants Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome. They are all charged with first-degree murder and face mandatory life sentences if convicted.

“This is who they are. This is their real character. Killers that within 24 hours after shooting the victim dead and stealing $50,000 from him, this is what they do,” Achille told the jury as she played the video. “Look at how happy they look. Look at how excited they look.”

XXXTentacion Tribute In L.A.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: A view of a tribute to slain rapper XXXtentacion during day 2 of Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium on December 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

In the trial, Boatwright, 28, is accused of being the shooter, while Newsome, 24, is accused of being a separate gunman. Williams, 26, is accused of being the driver for the crime. A fourth suspect, Robert Allen, 26, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, last year, and testified against the three men.

One of the strategies defense attorneys tried to use was to pin the killing on Drake. Attorney Mauricio Padilla cited an Instagram post from XXXTentacion in which he claimed, “If anyone tries to kill me it was @champagnepapi [Drake]. I’m snitching RN.” X later quickly deleted the post and retracted the statement, claiming his account had been hacked. “Before X died, he said, ‘If anybody kills me, it’s Drake.’ Do you think sitting here years later, any detective has ever asked Drake or anybody like that? No,” Padilla argued, according to Complex. “This is one of the biggest celebrities in the world. Excluding an order from this court, we all know that I will never be able to take his deposition.” Attorneys eventually got a deposition scheduled for Drake on February 24, but the Toronto rapper ended up being able to get out of it.

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R. Kelly Prosecutors Want 25 Years Of Additional Prison Time

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Prosecutors in the R. Kelly trial in Chicago requested the judge to sentence him to another 25 years in prison. Moreover, federal prosecutors seek more time for convictions of child pornography and enticement last year, which could add to his New York sentence. Furthermore, the court already sentenced him to 30 years in jail. Also, another government request suggested he serve his new sentence only after he completes the 30 years. On Thursday (February 16), prosecutors told the U.S. District Court in Chicago through their motion that Kelly is “sadistic,” “a serial sexual predator,” and “poses a serious danger to society.”

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 26: R&B singer R. Kelly covers his mouth as he speaks to members of his entourage as he arrives at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building for a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing several counts of aggravated sexual abuse. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“The only way to ensure Kelly does not reoffend is to impose a sentence that will keep him in prison for the rest of his life,” the 37-page government filing maintained. The singer’s sentencing for his Chicago trial is due next week. However, his lawyer Jennifer Bonjean pushed back against these new requests in a filing last week out of concern for his life. “Kelly would have to defy all statistical odds to make it out of prison alive,” she said. Furthermore, she recommended a sentence of 10 years that he could serve in tandem with his New York sentence.

Previosly, Bonjean claimed that Kelly faced unjust scrutiny and treatment in comparison to similarly charged white musicians. “None have been prosecuted and none will die in prison,” she expressed. Despite these arguments, the prosecution pushed for a long sentence that adds to his existing time, not one that stands within it. Still, they acknowledged but justified that a 25-year sentence goes beyond recommended sentencing guidelines.

“A consecutive sentence is eminently reasonable given the egregiousness of Kelly’s conduct,” their filing stated. “Kelly’s sexual abuse of minors was intentional and prolific.” Meanwhile, this decision rests on Chicago Judge Harry Leinenweber. While the artist’s legal team sought to appeal both cases, they also described him as a damaged, abused, and trauma-struck individual. Regardless, his actions caused his financial collapse and in one of the most high-profile cases of celebrity accountability. Log back into HNHH for the latest court updates and more news on R. Kelly.

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