Young Thug’s YSL RICO trial is officially at risk of being ruled a mistrial after a witness read aloud an Instagram post caption that featured the “Free Qua” hashtag, which was redacted on the screen in the courtroom. According to reporter Meghann Cuniff, the witness had been looking at an exhibit of evidence that apparently didn’t redact that part of the post. In turn, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker is reportedly considering declaring a mistrial yet again.
The YSL RICO Trial Faces The Possibility Of A Mistrial
This story is being updated. Be on the lookout for further updates on Young Thug and the YSL RICO trial on HotNewHipHop.
We’re on mistrial watch in the Young Thug / YSL trial after Judge Whitaker said she won’t declare a mistrial with prejudice but asked if the defense wants one without, which means prosecutors can retry.
If you are a hip-hop fan, you are very much aware of everything that Young Thug is going through right now. Overall, he is currently in the legal battle of his life. Back in May of last year, he was arrested on RICO charges. He stands accused of being a leader of a criminal organization that has killed numerous people. However, Thugger has denied all wrongdoing and he plans to fight these charges to the fullest extent.
The jury selection for the trial began months ago. However, it has been very difficult to find jurors who are impartial. Moreover, this is going to be a long and complicated trial, which makes the search that much more difficult. There are going to be numerous witnesses involved, and in a new report from AllHipHop, it was made clear that Thug’s legal team has a unique strategy. Essentially, big names like Killer Mike, Lyor Cohen, and even T.I. are currently on the rapper’s witness wish list.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 17: Rapper Young Thug performs at halftime during the Boston Celtics v Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm Arena on November 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Those of you reading this right now are probably asking yourselves why would they be included in the trial. Well, the answer is quite simple. These artists and executives have worked with Young Thug on a professional level. Overall, they would be able to speak to Thugger’s character. This could go a long way in persuading a jury about Young Thug’s potential innocence. It may not work, but his legal team is definitely trying everything they can.
Hopefully, the pace of this trial will pick up. Thug has been left in the lurch for quite some time, and it feels like the proceedings will never end. Let us know what you think about all of this, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always keep you informed.
YNW Melly’s trial will return to court in the near future as prosecutors hope to secure a conviction. The judge declared a mistrial after the jury was deadlocked. Still, the prosecutors have expressed confidence in the outcome during the retrial. Last week, reports emerged that YNW Melly and his co-defendant, YNW Bortlen, were hit with witness tampering charges. But that’s not all. Apparently, they’ve found a new witness to take the stand. Reports reveal that one individual who was recently convicted for his involvement in the XXXTENTACION murder will testify.
According to newly surfaced documents posted to Akademiks’ Instagram page, Robert Allen will be taking the witness stand during YNW Melly’s trial. Allen, who previously testified against his co-defendants in the XXXTENTACION trial, will reportedly testify again. Although it’s unclear what connection Allen has to the case, he’s currently locked up at the same facility as YNW Melly. The two are currently incarcerated at Broward County Jail. Allen was sentenced to 7 years in prison with credit for 5 years already served as he awaited trial.
We will see what ends up transpiring during the case. There have already been a few delays ahead of the retrial. Per NBC Miami, the judge pushed back the jury selection process by a week after Melly’s attorneys accused South Florida prosecutors of committing felony obstruction of justice. His defense team alleged that prosecutors failed to disclose that the lead detective previously admitted that he’d be willing to lie during the investigation and while gathering evidence.
Melly’s attorneys asked the judge to remove the Broward County Attorney’s Office and possibly dismiss the case. The request came after Broward Office’s Assistant State Attorney Michelle Boutros testified that she overheard Miramar Police Detective Mark Moretti ask a deputy to lie after executing a search warrant outside of his jurisdiction. It seems as though Melly’s attorneys are hoping for a better outcome during the retrial. We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates surrounding YNW Melly’s case. Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below and let us know your thoughts on Melly’s trial.
An affiliate of the South Side Compton Crips testified Orlando Anderson wasn’t the man who shot 2Pac back on September 7, 1996. According to court documents obtained by 8 News Now, the man alleges that it was instead Deandre “Big Dre” Smith. Prosecutors believe Smith was in the vehicle responsible for the drive-by shooting along with Anderson, and Terrence “Bubble Up” Brown, as well as the recently arrested Duane “Keefe D” Davis.
“When [Davis] passed the firearm to Orlando, Orlando didn’t have a clear shot,” the witness told a Las Vegas grand jury. “Big Dre is six-six. At this time he’s 370, 400 [pounds]. He’s big. And you’re not going to be able to lean over a big guy like that and get — I mean, my time of knowing things, doing — you’re not going to reach over like that because shells would have been popping all in Big Dre’s face and all kind of stuff. He can’t bend down or anything, he’s too big.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 29: A booking photo of Duane “Keefe D” Davis is shown on a television monitor as Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill (L) and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson speak during a news conference at the LVMPD headquarters to brief media members on Davis’ arrest and indictment for the 1996 murder of Tupac 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)
When asked directly if it was Smith who did the shooting, he answered: “He did the shooting.” The witness also accused Keefe D of organizing the killing: “Keefe is the one who’s going to make all the arrangements and all the plans until that gun goes into somebody else’s hand.” Keefe D has spoken about 2Pac’s murder on many occasions over the years.
In July, he denied that Smith was the shooter during an interview with The Art of Dialogue. “Them dudes was kids, man. Both of them dudes was kids back then,” he said at the time. “Dre was an All-CIF basketball player. He had a nice shot, dunking, all that shit. Dre was an athlete. He wasn’t about that.” Keefe D will appear in court on Wednesday (October 4) for his arraignment.
Day 12 of YNW Melly’s trial for double murder brought to light some interesting revelations and allegations, as reported by live streams and correspondent Bryson “Boom” Paul. Moreover, his colleague Treveon Miliak Glass testified on the witness stand, informing prosecutors of some potentially meaningful claims. According to Glass, he, the rapper, and the two men he stands accusing of killing, YNW Juvy and YNW SakChaser, went to a studio session together. Then, he saw the three of them leave in a vehicle after cutting the 12-hour session short due to tiredness. Furthermore, Glass apparently went to Melly’s home, fell asleep, and heard of the shooting when he woke up.
According to Glass, when he later saw YNW Melly at Fredo Bang’s house, he wore different clothes to what he wore in the studio session. Overall, these may be damning claims, especially considering that he confirmed the Florida MC’s identity in security footage of him entering the vehicle in question. However, Glass’ testimony was also marked by a strange thread pulled by the prosecutor questioning him. Glass was repeatedly asked about his marijuana consumption and said he smoke about twice a day, and ended his testimony by maintaining that he didn’t smoke before his testimony, but that he should’ve.
In terms of other details that came about during this session, Glass’ time in court saw another bump. During recess, he texted and talked on his phone while the jury wasn’t there, which the defense remarked to Judge John Murphy III. Upon inquiring about these conversations, Glass explained that he spoke to his brother for reasons unrelated to the trial. While his testimony may prove crucial to the prosecution and defense’s arguments, to see an interrogation so centered around an innocuous personal habit paints a bad light for the court’s treatment of YNW Melly’s case.
Meanwhile, lead detective Mark Moretti also took the stand. He claimed that the location of the shooting raised concerns after speaking to the Melly and Juvy’s mothers and YNW Bortlen. Also, he revealed Snapchat messages from the 24-year-old artist to former girlfriend Mariah Hamilton sticking by Bortlen’s side. In addition, the prosecution attempted to prove their theory that Fredo Bang picked Melly up after the murders, bringing up an alleged text message he sent Melly the morning after the shooting. “Miramar fl 33029 I’m On my way! Right now blood,” Fredo allegedly wrote. The court also prohibited the jury from seeing the vehicle the murder allegedly took place in. For more updates on the YNW Melly trial tomorrow, stick around on HNHH.
Earlier today (July 6), TMZ reported that on the evening of July 5, Britney Spears was allegedly slapped in the face by a security guard traveling with NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama. The incident reportedly occurred in Vegas at the Catch restaurant at the ARIA Hotel. Reportedly, Spears spotted Wembanyama, who is in Vegas for the NBA Summer League, and went over to get a picture. She allegedly tapped Wembanyama on the back only for the Spurs’ Director of Team Security to slap her across the face. TMZ alleges that the slap was hard enough to send Spears to the ground and knock her glasses off.
In an additional update, TMZ confirmed that law enforcement is treating the incident “as serious as a heart attack.” Furthermore, contrary to previous updates from the outlet, the case is being treated as a criminal investigation. While that does not guarantee criminal charges for Damian Smith, the alleged slapper, and the Spurs’ Director of Team Security. However, law enforcement also claims that video of the incident, which has not been made public, shows that Smith hit Spears in the hand, not the face.
Witness Provides New Details On Slap Incident
While no footage of the incident has been released, TMZ did share a blurry photo purporting to show Spears moments before she made contact with Wembanyama. Furthermore, the outlet also spoke with a Canadian man named Brian Grajales, who claims to have witnessed the incident firsthand. According to Grajales, Spears “infiltrated” Wembanyama’s inner circle and addressed Wembanyama in a “British accent” before touching his back. That’s when Smith reportedly hit Spears, with Grajales claiming that he saw him make contact with her face. However, he does not recall if she was knocked to the ground, as her team claims. Furthermore, Grajales claims that after Wembanyama was moved inside the restaurant, Spears loudly yelled “This is fucking America” in a British accent. Wembanyana was born and raised in France to a family of Congolese heritage.
The new details are very dramatic, but once again should be treated with caution. It’s one account from an unverified witness that corroborates Spears’ claim while also providing details that play into stereotypes that she is unstable. It’s an almost choreographed twist for a story of this nature. Furthermore, we are still yet to see any actual footage of the incident directly. This is despite TMZ claiming multiple times that such footage does exist. Until the footage emerges, it’s going to be hard to say conclusively what actually happened. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis says that she’s concerned for a witness’ safety after footage of their interrogation for the YSL trial leaked online. The video shows an unidentified man speaking with authorities for the case against Young Thug. It has over 30 million views online. Willis says that she’s unsure how the video got out, but that the prosecution has possessed it for over a year. They only handed over to the defense two months ago.
“It puts people’s lives in danger,” Willis told WSB-TV‘s Mark Winne. “My worst fear is that it is used as an intimidating tactic and people might be hurt.” Willis noted a large number of comments on a YouTube post of the video that threaten the man’s life. In the viral video, the man appears to tell investigators, “This is a murder that’s about to take place with some very hot people, and [inaudible] the stuff that I know right now should be able to help me get out my situation.” Defense Attorney Keith Adams addressed the leak saying, “I’m happy to have them make a determination or find out where it came from. I know it didn’t come from us!”
Young Thug Prior To His Arrest
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 12: 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)
Willis has since filed a motion that would mandate that defense attorneys can only view similar videos in her office and cannot record them. In response, Adams said: “You don’t just file a motion and make these allegations when you’ve got absolutely no basis to back that up, and that’s what’s happened in this case.” Adams says not allowing him to make copies would be unconstitutional as it would limit their access to evidence that could help them defend their clients. He added that he doesn’t believe a defense attorney leaked the video.
The YSL trial is still many months off from kicking off. Through May, more than 1,200 jurors will appear in court to watch a pre-recorded reading of the indictment for the YSL case. They will also be hearing the preliminary jury instructions, filling out a questionnaire, and more.
A key witness in the killing of Jam Master Jay, Lydia High, is “unreliable,” according to lawyers representing Ronald Washington. As noted in court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the Law Office of Ezra Spilke pointed out several “impairing factors,” in a letter to Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. Among them are that the suspect was partially disguised in the first place as well as the fact that cross-racial and cross-ethnic identifications and identification procedures are often susceptible to bias. High was in the studio on the night of the legendary Run-DMC DJ‘s death.
In High’s initial statement, she said: “[T]wo black males entered the [sitting room] and both men had guns. Upon entering, one man remained in the doorway, the other man, who was wearing a knit wool mask and holding a gun, ordered Lydia [High] to the floor. The man with the mask then ordered Mr. Mizell to the floor, at which time Uriel Rincon stood up to assist . . . Mr. Mizell. The man with the mask then shot Mr. Mizell, fired another shot and fled out of the doorway with the other man.”
Jam Master Jay In 2001
Jam Master Jay of Run DMC performs on stage at the Respect Festival, Finsbury Park, London, United Kingdom, 2001. (Photo by Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)
“According to Ms. High, only the shooter was wearing a mask,” Spilke says in the new documents. “Ms. High, who was interviewed by the police shortly after the shooting, failed to identify as a participant Mr. Washington, whom she later told the authorities she had known for ‘numerous years.’” He continued: “Nine months after the shooting, Ms. High’s account changed in that she then knew the identity of one of the participants: Washington, whom she identified from a photo array. In identifying Washington, High told the police that he was the person who pointed a gun at her and told her to ‘get on the ground’ while the masked person shot Mizell.”
Ronald Washington’s defense team also confirmed that they intend to call Dr. Geoffrey Loftus to the stand. Loftus is a psychologist with expertise in human memory, visual perception, as well as eyewitness identification. They plan to use his testimony to poke holes in High’s account. Spilke concluded: “Ms. High’s identifications of Mr. Washington—from the photo lineup or in open court may be unreliable for multiple reasons. Dr. Loftus’s descriptions of these reasons to the jury will provide the jurors with critical scientific information based on which they can allocate appropriate weight to Ms. High’s identifications. For these reasons, Dr. Loftus’s testimony is relevant and will be helpful to the trier of fact.”
During the ongoing trial of XXXTentacion‘s 2018 murder, defendant Dedrick Williams’s former girlfriend Tenell Carter took to the stand. Her testimony revealed shocking news to the courtroom. Williams, along with Robert Allen and Michael Boatwright are currently on trial for allegedly killing X. All three defendants face life without parole sentence. The trial commenced on February 7th and has been ongoing in Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit.
Carter took the stand this week to testify for the prosecution about her knowledge of the defendant’s alleged involvement. In Carter’s examination, it is revealed that Williams was not only allegedly at the assassination but also knew those involved. While on the stand, the witness was asked, “Dedrick Williams actually told you that he was present during the robbery and the homicide of Jahseh Onfroy, did he not,” to which she replied, “yes ma’am.” Afterward, the question was followed up with, “did he tell you that he also saw the robbery occur by the shooter and another gunman, correct?” and “and he told you you knew them personally?” Carter confirmed both questions.
The prosecution also questioned the involvement of other celebrities who are involved in the case. She asked carter, “did he ever tell you that the shooting of Jahseh Onfroy had anything to do with Drake.” After Carter’s response of “no,” the prosecution continued to question any knowledge the witness had obtained. Specifically, about Migos, DJ Akademiks, Joe Budden, or any other Toronto connections. Carter then affirmed that she had never heard anything from Williams about their involvement.
This week, Drake’s motion to avoid his deposition on the case was granted. The Toronto rapper was initially held under suspicion after Williams’s defense attorney noted how he was never investigated after the murder, especially given the circumstances of his beef with XXXTentacion. But after Drake’s attorney proved the lack of connection between Drizzy and the case at hand. Subsequently, the judge granted him a pardon from having to take the stand for cross-examination. As the case proceeds to unfold, the prosecution continues to squash unproductive conspiracy theories.
The tension between YFN Lucci and Young Thug was well documented on social media and in lyrics. The two Georgia rappers were, at a time, enjoying their freedom, but they both found themselves in trouble with the law. Lucci was arrested in connection to murder and racketeering charges, but while in jail, he was reportedly stabbed. Later, after Thugger was detained in the YSL RICO case, it was suggested that he was responsible.
As Young Thug continues denying culpability in the alleged crimes, others named in the RICO indictment are copping to plea deals. The seventh person to reportedly agree to a plea deal was named this week. After pleading guilty to a racketeering charge, Gunna enjoyed the holidays with his family.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 25: Rapper Young Thug attends the game between Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 25, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, it has been stated that the District Attorney isn’t necessarily targeting the two dozen alleged YSL associates. According to reports, the authorities have named Thug as the leader of YSL as a criminal organization.
There have been conversations regarding using his lyrics against him during the trial. This would, of course, include Young Thug and Juice WRLD’s collaboration, “Bad Boy.”
During a Summer hearing, a prosecutor alleged that, on the track, Thug rapped about shooting at Lucci’s mother. This was an incident that did take place.
“[Thug] got into a beef, if you will, with another rapper by the name of Rayshawn Bennett, also known as YFN Lucci,” an attorney told the court back in June.
“At some point, Lucci’s mother was shot at and the song comes out, ‘Bad Boy,’ that says, uh, let’s see… ’You better watch the way you breathe around me ‘fore that breath be your last boy, Smith & Wesson .45 put a hole in his heart, better not play with me, killers stay with me, I shot at his mommy now he no longer mention me.’”
It is unclear if Lucci will testify against Young Thug, but he has reportedly been named as a witness. It is unclear what he will say if called to testify.
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