testimony

Young Thug Trial: YSL Affiliate Questioned About Wearing A Wire After Plea Deal

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The latest development in the Young Thug trial, also involving the rest of YSL on RICO charges, concerns one of the collective’s alleged co-founders, Walter “DK” Murphy. Moreover, he sat on the witness stand recently as a part of his plea deal, similar to the one that Gunna also accepted as a former defendant. During this testimony, an attorney asked him about his alleged compliance with wearing a wire back in July of 2015, and that he agreed to be an informant. Murphy retorted that he “can’t recall” ever agreeing to this or wearing a wire at all, staunchly denying that he was, or ever agreed to be, an informant.

Furthermore, this specific issue deals with what Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel once called one of the most damaging things in this trial: plea deals. While it’s impossible to blame someone for how they handled these strenuous circumstances many of us have no experience with, it’s also difficult to reckon with this testimony when it’s a part of an agreement like this. Still, since the trial’s inception almost two years ago, there are more relevant issues today that are plaguing its efficacy, objectivity, and clarity. For example, a state witness became very uncooperative with the prosecution’s questions, derailing their intention to strengthen their case.

Read More: Young Thug Trial: Rapper’s Lawyer Goes Off On “Biased” Judge, Demands He Recuse Himself

Alleged YSL Co-Founder Addresses Wire Claims In Young Thug Trial: Watch

In addition, some very concerning reports and testimonies emerged about members of the prosecution harassing a female witness. These incidents ranged across two specific instances from the District Attorney’s office: platitudes to pressure the woman into testifying and an investigator inappropriately flirting with her. Even though this is a pretty disturbing look, it’s not like the defense has fully been able to reverse the narrative, whether due to circumstance or by choice. Many of the problems in proving the veracity of this case come from the prosecution, but little in the way of countering evidence has swayed the court’s path.

Meanwhile, these reports also come amid updated witness lists, on which Lil Wayne no longer appears. In addition, the court also clarified whether Gunna will be a witness in this case or not, both for eligibility as a witness and for actually making it to trial. Maybe these witnesses will also prove either crucial or backfiring for the prosecution or defense. Either way, stay up to date on HNHH for the latest news and more updates on Young Thug and the YSL RICO case.

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

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Lil Rod Hasn’t Talked To Diddy Investigators For Testimony, But Is Willing: Report

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The federal investigation into Diddy’s alleged criminal activity amid his various sexual assault lawsuits is still a mystery, but supposed reports on it paint a potentially explosive picture. Moreover, according to TMZ, federal authorities have not yet contacted Rodney Jones, also known as Lil Rod, to offer sworn testimony for this process. For those unaware, Jones put forth one of the couple of lawsuits against the music executive, and his shocking claims roped celebrities like Usher and Meek Mill into the mix. Of course, it should be emphasized that this is an unconfirmed report based on secondhand claims, so we still have to see whether he actually participates.

Furthermore, this follows other reports about another Diddy accuser apparently cooperating with this investigation from the FBI. Cassie’s lawsuit against him sparked this current wave of scrutiny and judgement, whether that’s from the general public, the music and business entertainment industries, or now law enforcement. She reportedly joins others in that cooperation, but until there is an actual federal case prepared against the Bad Boy Records founder, we won’t know for sure. Also, there’s the possibility that these will only be interviews, and that some of these accusers might not want to appear in a public-facing trial.

Read More: Cuba Gooding Jr. Spotted In Miami Amid Lil Rod’s Diddy Lawsuit

Diddy At 2018 Fox Network Upfront

Diddy Raid Lil Rod FBI Federal Testimony Witness Hip Hop News
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 14: Sean “Diddy” Combs attend 2018 Fox Network Upfront at Wollman Rink, Central Park on May 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage/Getty Images)

While these are a lot of moving and unconfirmed parts to consider, it stands the reason that Diddy’s accusers would be of the highest priority when it comes to who the federal investigation wants to talk to. TMZ also claimed through their alleged sources that Rodney Jones is willing to cooperate if the FBI asks him to do so. However, according to their report, he feels patiently satisfied with the federal raids on the rapper’s homes. These specifically centered around a sex trafficking investigation that, if true considering their alleged nature, would relate to some of the claims that Lil Rod put forth.

Meanwhile, authorities haven’t formally charged Sean Combs with anything, and he denied any and all accusations against him. Interestingly, his settlement with Cassie didn’t prevent her cooperation, if reports are true, and he still faces plenty of civil lawsuits whose allegations haven’t seen a conclusion. What do you think about this whole debacle? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments section below. Also, come back to HNHH for the latest news and more updates on the Diddy situation.

Read More: Diddy Raids Lead Several Companies To Ramp Up Documentary Production Amid Federal Investigation: Report

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YSL Co-Founder Tries To Provide “Truly Humble Under God” References In Young Thug’s Music

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Trontavious Stephens, a co-founder of YSL who took a plea deal in the group’s ongoing RICO trial, testified in court on Monday. While on the stand, he faced questions from the prosecution about the lyrical content of Young Thug’s music. At one point, the prosecutor asks him to provide a single example of the rapper referencing his “Truly Humble Under God” acronym.

“A number of them. You gotta pay attention,” Stephens claims, before saying he would need some time to think of a specific example. “A number of songs on the last album, Punk,” he eventually says before providing the song, “Droppin Jewels.” While he can’t think of the word, “God,” being used, he suggests the references are implied.

Read More: Young Thug & YSL Trial: State Motions To Block RICO Case’s Live Stream

Young Thug Attends Meet & Greet

EAST POINT, GEORGIA – APRIL 22: Rapper Young Thug attends Young Stoner Life Meet & Greet at DTLR Camp Creek on April 22, 2021 in East Point, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

From there, the prosecution asks Stephens about the mention of the selling of drugs in Thug’s music. They reference the song, “Pushin P,” in particular, and theorize it’s a reference to Percocet. Stephens says he can’t recall Thug ever mentioning Percocets on the track. Check out the clips of his testimony below, as shared by Meghann Cuniff.

Trontavious Stephens Discusses Young Thug’s Acronym

Thug is facing multiple charges in addition to violating Georgia’s RICO Act. As the trial continues, the state will attempt to prove YSL is a violent gang who have committed armed robbery, conspiracy to murder, and more. Be on the lookout for further updates on the YSL RICO trial on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Young Thug Seemingly References RICO Case On Kid Cudi’s “INSANO”

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Young Thug’s Juice WRLD Tribute Jacket Called Out By DA In Court

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With the new year came the renewed YSL RICO case which meant Young Thug was back in the news cycle. The rapper has been behind bars since May of 2022 and the trial itself has already been going on for months. When it got back underway last week some fans were focused on Thug himself. Not only did he find the chance to do some promo for his new fashion line but some fans think he’s also put on some weight as the trial goes on. JID also got some of his own observations in about the case. He took to Twitter to critique the prosecution for their sloppiness and lack of preparation.

Now, the hottest story in the case has had to do with one of the co-founders of YSL, Slug, testifying. It started when he identified numerous members of the gang in open court. Though fans online called it snitching not everyone thought so. Others think he was deliberately only giving up those who could be found out anyway. As the debate over that testimony raged online he was adding some fuel to an entirely different fire from earlier in the day. Check out his newest testimony below.

Read More: Meek Mill Weighs In On Young Thug’s Trial

Slug Discusses Young Thug’s Jacket

Earlier in the day, the district attorney had called out Young Thug for the “SP5DER” jacket that he wore to court today. During Slug’s testimony, he was asked about the jacket and clarified on the details he knows about it. He told the prosecution that it’s a tribute to Juice WRLD, who passed away in 2019. Young Thug and Juice WRLD

Thug and Juice worked together multiple times on record. Most notably Juice WRLD appears on the song “Mannequin Challenge” from Thug’s 2019 album So Much Fun. A single the pair released together called “Bad Boy” featured lyrics that were used against Thugger as evidence in court. What do you think of Young Thug being called out for wearing a jacket tributing Juice WRLD? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Young Thug Back In Court As Trial Resumes

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Trontavious Stephens’ YSL Testimony Leaves Us Laughing As He Evades Snitching Questions

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We knew there would be some serious antics unfolding in court throughout the YSL RICO trial, but we couldn’t possibily have predicted this much of a fiasco. Over a year and a half after Young Thug was first arrested in Atlanta, he remains behind bars, with court proceedings only kicking off in the final weeks of 2023. Unfortuntaely, the stabbing of a co-defendant put a brief pause of things ahead of the holiday season, but as the new year began, so too did Thugger’s fight for his freedom.

The latest updates from Fulton County confirm that the label’s co-founder, Trontavious Stephens, is among the latest to give his testimony after previously accepting a plea deal. On Wednesday (January 3), he spoke about YSL being an organization that’s about “the music,” not commiting crimes. As Fox 5 Atlanta notes, part of Stephens’ agreement with the prosecution is that he’s required to testify “truthfully and without invoking his Fifth Amendment right.” While he did admit to gang involvement dating back as early as his teenage years, the witness did everything in his power to evade questions about snitching.

Read More: Ralo Would “Rather Die” Than Testify Like Young Thug’s YSL Co-Founder

Young Thug’s Former Co-Defandant Gives His Testimony as YSL Trial Resumes

“What does snitching mean to you?” a female voice asks Stephens in the video above. “It doesn’t mean anything to me,” he responds after taking a moment to carefully consider his words. “But I’m aware of the term,” he acknowledges, speaking the truth, as promised. “What is the meaning of the term?” prosecutors further press him, to which Trontavious simply shakes his head. “The definition?” she continues. “It doesn’t mean anything to me but I’m aware of the term,” the YSL leader reiterates.

Even though he’s approaching two years of being behind bars on his YSL RICO charges, Young Thug remains optimistic about the future. Now that he’s back in court, the So Much Fun hitmaker’s social media pages are lighting up with teasers of his latest creative project – a clothing brand. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: Young Thug Teases New Clothing Brand As YSL Rico Trial Resumes

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Ralo Would “Rather Die” Than Testify Like Young Thug’s YSL Co-Founder

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Young Thug’s YSL RICO trial is officially underway again, after the judge relieved jurors for the holidays early in light of the rapper’s co-defendant getting stabbed. Today, YSL co-founder Trontavious Stephens took the stand as part of his plea deal. He pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-racketeering law last December. He later received a 10-year sentence, two to serve. During his testimony, Stephens was asked to demonstrate gang signs, detail his involvement in gangs, and more.

One person who’s been vocal about the ongoing trial is Ralo, who was just released from federal prison in November. He served six years for gun and drug charges. Shortly after he got out, he took to social media to share his thoughts on the case, coming to Young Thug’s defense. According to him, prosecutors are simply trying to make him take the fall for those around him, and should just free him already.

Read More: YSL Founder Trontavious Stephens Takes The Stand In RICO Trial

Ralo On Trontavious Stephens Taking The Stand

“Young Thug [trial] weak as f*ck,” he wrote. “I can’t even believe they giving Jeff ah hard time like that for them weak a** charges. They might [as] well just let him go. I feel like they just trying blame him for sh*t n***as around him was doing. That sh*t l*me!!!” Now, he’s come through with another take, this time surrounding Trontavious Stephens’ recent testimony. In a new Tweet, he claims that he would never take the stand like he did, particularly if it concerned a longtime friend.

“Man ain’t no way Shawty just got on that stand against his childhood friend,” Ralo says. “I rather die ah thousand deaths before I do some sh*t like that.” What do you think of Ralo’s opinion of YSL co-founder Trontavious Stephens taking the stand? How do you feel about it? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: YSL Co-Founder Hit With Multiple Charges Amid Young Thug Case

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Jonathan Majors Was Hit By Ex-Girlfriend In SUV, Driver Testifies In Court

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Jonathan Majors’ trial for assault just took a pivotal turn, although it doesn’t solve all of the conflicting reports at hand. Moreover, on Monday (December 11), the driver of the SUV in which he allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari back in March of this year testified in court, with the help of an interpreter. For those unaware, the actor stands accused of striking her in an Escalade after she tried to get his phone to see messages with another woman. During his testimony, the driver said that he kept his eyes on the road while the couple fought in the back of his vehicle. Most crucially, though, he relayed to the jury that he “had a feeling the girl had hit the boy… because of the way that she was fighting, and the sounds produced.”

Furthermore, he said that Grace Jabbari demanded Jonathan Majors’ phone and “became very angry. He was not doing anything, she was doing it,” the driver continued, and he suggested that the Creed III star tried to “get rid of” her. This is a very interesting development considering the seemingly damning evidence that Majors’ ex brought against him in court. One of these was audio of his demands for “total compliance,” which added to a long list of other accusations and supposed evidence that each party presented to each other.

Read More: Jonathan Majors Trial: Judge To Rule On Unsealing London Police Report

Jonathan Majors & Meagan Good Arriving At Court

Jonathan Majors Trial Hit By Ex Girlfriend Driver Testimony Grace Jabbari
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 4: Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good are seen arriving at court on December 4, 2023 in New York, New York. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images/Getty Images)

Back to the driver, though, he and his interpreter continued to answer questions and offer his version of the events. According to him, Jonathan Majors and Grace Jabbari left the car at one point at their request, exiting onto a Manhattan street corner. There, the driver recalled, they argued as Majors allegedly attempted to push Jabbari into the Escalade “to get rid of her.” Sadly, this is indicative of the supposedly violent relationship that the alleged victim and her team detailed to the jury during this case.

Meanwhile, when the defense asked the driver whether he found blood in his car afterwards, he said he found no such evidence. We’ll see where else this trial goes in the coming days and weeks, as we’ve seen Majors’ new boo Meagan Good every step of the way. With that in mind, there are many different angles and storylines that people are interested in that will probably become even more relevant in the future. But the priority is justice, and everything else should follow in its wake. For more news and the latest updates on Jonathan Majors, stay logged into HNHH.

Read More: Meagan Good & Jonathan Majors Go Viral As He “Fixes” Her Hair: “That Braid Sticking Out Of Her Bun”

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Suge Knight “To Blame” For 2Pac‘s Murder Case Stalling, Retired LAPD Detective Claims

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Suge Knight is the one “to blame” for the lack of progress made in 2Pac’s murder investigation, says retired Los Angeles Police Department detective Greg Kading. Kading previously led an interagency task force looking into the murder of The Notorious B.I.G. He also authored the book, Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations, in 2011. Speaking with Rolling Stone on Tuesday, Kading explained how Knight’s lack of cooperation hindered the case.

“If there’s anybody in the world to blame for this taking 27 years to solve, it’s Suge Knight,” he told the outlet. “He knew the moment it happened who did it. And all Suge had to do when Las Vegas [PD] asked him to come in and sit down for an interview, all he had to do was say, ‘They pulled up alongside, I looked right across the car, I saw Keefe D in the front seat.’”

Read More: Suge Knight Discusses Keefe D’s Arrest In 2Pac Killing, Says He Won’t Testify

Las Vegas Police Share Image Of Suge Knight & 2Pac After Arrest Of Keefe D

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: An image on a television monitor shows a photo of Tupac Shakur (L) and Marion “Suge” Knight Jr. in a car in Las Vegas the night Shakur was killed as (L-R) Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson hold a news conference at the LVMPD headquarters on the arrest and indictment of Duane “Keefe D” Davis for the 1996 murder of Shakur on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A Nevada grand jury indicted Davis on one count of murder with a deadly weapon in the fatal drive-by shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

He added: “That’s all he had to say: ‘I saw Keefe D.’ That alone, that witness statement would’ve changed everything. There’s nobody else who could have helped more than him, and he didn’t, because evidently, his reputation was more important than 2Pac’s life.”

The comments come after Knight recently admitted that he doesn’t plan on testifying in the arrest of Keefe D. Las Vegas police arrested the former gang member in connection to the killing, last week. Speaking with TMZ, Knight explained: “I wouldn’t be. Well, number one, I’m not gonna get on the stand and testify on somebody for what? […] I wouldn’t go, I wouldn’t testify. None of that shit.” Be on the lookout for further updates on the investigation into 2Pac’s death on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Suge Knight Says He Deserves Early Prison Release

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YNW Melly’s Friend Testifies That Rapper Switched Clothing Before Going To Fredo Bang’s House

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YNW Melly is back in court today (July 10). The latest prosecution witness to take the stand is the Florida native’s friend, Treveon Glass. As Yahoo News reports, Glass was in the same recording studio as Jamell Demons and the two men he’s been accused of killing (YNW Juvy and YNW SakChaser) on the night of their deaths. While on the stand he recalled watching the trio get into a Jeep and drive away together. Hours later, word of Melly’s associates’ deaths began circulating. This is when Glass says he saw the 23-year-old at fellow rapper Fredo Bang’s house.

The outfit the “Murder on My Mind” rapper wore when leaving the studio was different than the one he had on at Bang’s, the witness told the court this afternoon. Elsewhere in his testimony, Glass confirmed Melly’s identity in a video that shows him entering the driver’s seat of the vehicle where Juvy and SakChaser tragically lost their lives. When his friends left the studio, Treveon says he and a group went to Demons’ home in Miramar. Here he fell asleep around the same time that prosecutors claim the embattled rapper killed his friends.

Read More: Jury In YNW Melly Trial Prohibited From Viewing Alleged Murder Vehicle

YNW Melly is Back in Court Today

 

 
 
 
 
 
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To this day, the gun used to shoot Juvy and SakChaser hasn’t been recovered. Melly’s defense lawyers maintain that he wasn’t in the vehicle when the killings took place. However, phone data shows that at least his mobile device was. The jury was recently prohibited from seeing the Jeep first-hand before making their decision, which is likely weighing heavy on their minds as the young recording artist is eligible for the death penalty.

At the same time as YNW Melly’s friend was testifying against him, fans at home have been placing online bets on his double murder trial’s verdict. At least one online website is offering several promotions in connection with the accused killer’s case including a sign-up bonus of up to $1,000. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: YNW Melly Verdict: Betting Website Accepts Wagers As Rapper Continues To Gain Streamers

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Young Thug’s Attorney Denies Claims The Rapper Provided Information About A Homicide

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Earlier this week, Young Thug’s attorney filed a motion for the testimony of a police witness to be blocked. In the motion, he claims that the witness will make false statements to the jury. According to information obtained by XXL, attorney Brian Steel thinks that the witness, Det. Quinn, will claim that he previously received information from Young Thug regarding an unsolved murder. It’s unconfirmed when the witness claims the incident allegedly took place. However, the motion alleges that he provided the information to police when he was a “very young man.”

The motion says, “Based upon information and belief, the prosecution and some of its witnesses, including but not limited to Det. Quinn, may wrongly state that Mr. Jeffery Williams was in the back of their police car at some point and gave information on a murder case.” It continues, “Same is untrue. However, same also places Mr. Williams’ character in issue by being in a locked police car and having information on a murder. This evidence must be excluded because same is not accurate; places Mr. Williams’ character at issue; and is irrelevant to the trial of the above-referenced case.”

Read More: Young Thug’s Updated First Week Sales Projections Drop

Brian Steel Believes Witness Will Provide Inaccurate Information

Young Thug's Attorney Denies Claims The Rapper Provided Information About A Homicide
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)

Young Thug recently released a new album from behind bars, titled BUSINESS IS BUSINESS. It was released amid his ongoing RICO trial, and the rapper’s fans were eager to hear his latest offering. Due to the buzz surrounding the trial and his loyal fanbase, the album was expected to perform well.

Unfortunately, it was recently reported that the album’s first week sales projections have dropped. Initially, it was projected to sell 110K in it’s first week, and now, it’s expected to sell 87K. Despite this, many fans are loving the new LP. It features guest appearances from Drake, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, and more.

Read More: Lawsuit Over Young Thug’s Canceled Concert Dismissed In New York

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