ysl rico case Archives - Page 8 of 8

Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis Defends Using Rap Lyrics As Criminal Evidence In Drug Rich Gang and YSL R.I.C.O. Cases

August 30, 2022 by newhiphopnews

In a new press conference, Fulton County, GA District Attorney Fani Willis defended using rap lyrics as criminal evidence in the YSL and Drug Rich Gang R.I.C.O. cases. This comes after 26 alleged members of the Drug Rich Gang were arrested in Atlanta and have been in connection with a string of high profile home invasions and other violent crimes in the Atlanta area.

“I think if you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, I’m gonna use it,” Willis said. “You do not get to commit crimes in my county and then decide to brag on it, which you do that for a form of intimidation and to further the gang, and not be held responsible.”

“Just one of the lyrics used in this indictment is: ‘Me and my crew striking out, striking in all black / Send me the drop, we’ll kick in the house / If we steal a car, we’re gonna take off the tags.’ Well, they’re kicking in doors, committing home invasions and now I’m using those lyrics that they’re admitting to doing that.”

Fani continued, saying; “I’m going to continue to do that, people can continue to be angry about it. I have some legal advice: don’t confess to crimes on rap lyrics if you do not want them used — or at least get out of my county.”

Yesterday it was announced that 26 alleged members of the Drug Rich Gang were arrested and hit with R.I.C.O. charges in connection to multiple home invasions and other violent crimes. Investigators used music videos, rap lyrics, and social media posts to tie members of the gang to the indictment.

According to the indictment, the gang targeted homes belonging to Mariah Carrey, Atlanta Falcons star Calvin Ridley, and Future’s baby mother Brittni Mealy.

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Young Thug Faces New Gun, Drug And Gang Charges In YSL RICO Indictment

August 10, 2022 by newhiphopnews

Even after facing a 56-count indictment along with 27 of his other YSL(Young Slime Life) cohorts, Young Thug is now facing a new set of charges in an indictment filed by the Fulton County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday(August 9), according to WSB TV in Atlanta.

Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was hit with a new gang charge, new drug charges, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a machine gun in the new indictment. Many of these charges stem from the raid executed on Williams’ Buckhead home on May 9.

According to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office, the new indictment still includes all 28 members of YSL, but the new charges only involve Thug and four other YSL members. Willis contends that the new indictment enhances the prosecution’s case that Thug “performed for years as a leader of a criminal street gang.”

Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, meanwhile, maintained his client’s innocence following his arrest in May. “I’ll tell you the response to any allegation: Mr. Williams committed no crime whatsoever and we will fight to my last drop of blood to clear him,” said Steel.

Young Thug will remain behind bars until his RICO trial, which as been set for January 9, 2023.

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Kevin Liles and Julie Greenwald Start Petition Against The Use Of Rap Lyrics In Court

June 10, 2022 by newhiphopnews

The use of song lyrics in court has been a hot topic over the years, especially in regard to rap music. While Jay-Z, along with other artists, are pushing for the use of rap lyrics to be inadmissible in court and treated as artistic expression, in Atlanta, prosecutors are using lyrics against Young Thug and Gunna to prove that they were behind many of the crimes there accused of being involved in.

Now, 300 Entertainment co-founder Kevin Liles is teaming up with Atlantic Records COO Julie Greenwald to start a petition that would ban rap lyrics from being used in court.

The “Rap Music on Trial: Protect Black Art” petition seeks to pass Federal and State laws that limit prosecutors from using “creative and artistic expression as evidence against defendants in criminal trials.” The petition uses the YSL RICO case as an example as prosecutors are using Young Thug’s and Gunna’s lyrics against them in order to prove their involvement in the alleged crimes.

“Weaponizing creative expression against artists is obviously wrong. But what gets us so upset is what’s happening to Young Thug, Gunna, and YSL is just the most high-profile case,” Liles and Greenwald said in a joint statement. “In courtrooms across America, Black creativity and artistry is being criminalized. With increasing and troubling frequency, prosecutors are attempting to use rap lyrics as confessions, just like they’re doing in this case.”

The two music industry executives applauded the New York Senate for passing State Bill S7527, which aims to “protect freedom of speech and artistic expression in New York State. This bill effectuates the enhanced free speech protections provided by the New York State Constitution, ensuring that criminal defendants are tried based upon evidence of criminal conduct, not the provocative nature of their artistic works and tastes.”

You can view the “Rap Music on Trial: Protect Black Art” petition and sign it here.

The post Kevin Liles and Julie Greenwald Start Petition Against The Use Of Rap Lyrics In Court appeared first on The Source.