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Yak Gotti Stabbed In Prison While Awaiting RICO Verdict

December 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Yak Gotti is one of two remaining defendants in the YSL RICO case, but it seems like he faced greater challenges than that recently. Moreover, according to WSB-TV reporter Michael Seiden, Gotti was stabbed on Sunday (December 1) in Fulton County Jail and suffered “minor injuries.” However, it looks like he will recover well and will attend court today (Monday, December 2) to continue jury deliberations as he awaits his verdict. The rapper has been through a lot when it comes to this case, and amid some other controversies, we hope that he continues to recover and wraps this up one way or another soon.

For those unaware, one of those controversies involves an interrogation video that remains too vague and unclear to really pass judgement on regarding snitching allegations. But we have no idea if any of this relates to Yak Gotti suffering a stabbing attack, as very few details emerged concerning that incident. In fact, it’s not the first time that something like this happened, as his mother claimed that folks in jail targeted him for a stabbing due to snitch rumors back in October of 2022.

Yak Gotti Stabbed In Jail

That’s how long the YSL RICO trial lasted, and we still have no end truly in sight when it comes to Yak Gotti and his codefendant Shannon Stillwell’s remaining cases. Given their criminal records, they face mandatory maximum sentences if convicted of anything, although the judge is who will determine how much of that sentence they will spend in custody. So, for example, a 20-year RICO sentence could split up as five years behind bars and 15 on probation, but every single day of those five years must make up the sentence.

Murder convictions, though, signify a sentence of life without parole, so there’s a lot at stake for both individuals. In Yak Gotti’s case, he dodged some significant roadblocks that improved his federal trial, and now it’s up to a jury to determine his innocence or guilt. We don’t know exactly what will go down with Shannon Stillwell, the other remaining codefendant, but in due time, we will all probably get more answers.

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Yak Gotti Secures Major Legal Win In YSL Case

November 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Young Thug is finally able to put his legal issues behind him for now following a long, chaotic trial. The rapper accepted a plea deal last month and was soon released from prison. He’ll spend 15 years on probation, and must abide by various release conditions. Regardless, his supporters are thrilled that he’s back home. They’re eager to hear what music he has up his sleeve, and glad to see him enjoying his freedom.

Unfortunately, however, the same can’t be said for his former co-defendant Yak Gotti. The artist reportedly refused a plea deal around the same time Young Thug accepted one, and he remains behind bars. At the time, his attorney Douglas Weinstein told FOX 5 Atlanta that his client “fully intends to take this to the jury and get our not guilty verdicts and go home.” Now, he’s reportedly secured at least one legal win, according to @ThuggerDaily on X.

Judge Grants Yak Gotti’s Motion For Directed Verdict On Three Charges

The Judge has GRANTED the defense’s motion for directed verdict on 3 of Yak Gotti’s charges.

Yak Gotti will no longer be able to be found guilty for the possession of the switch/drugs found at Young Thug’s home! pic.twitter.com/UK6DmHxxCD

— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) November 20, 2024

Reportedly, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker granted the defense’s motion for directed verdict on three drug and weapon charges, meaning he cannot be found guilty. “I do not believe that, even viewing in the light most favorable to the prosecution, there’s evidence upon a rational trier of fact could find the essential elements of possession of those particular items,” she explained. As for his other charges, it will be up to the jury to decided whether or not he’s guilty, per journalist Meghann Cuniff on X. The other charges he’s facing include alleged Conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act, Murder, Participation in criminal street gang activity, and more.

Aside from Yak Gotti, the only other remaining defendant is Shannon Stillwell. Fox 5 reports that the jury will return tomorrow (November 21), and could begin deliberation as early as this week. Stillwell is facing gun, gang, and murder charges. Last year, he was stabbed multiple times by a fellow inmate and has since made a full recovery.

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YSL Member Allegedly Stabs YFN Lucci In Prison In New Clip From YSL Trial

November 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Hip Hop world has openly expressed its relief after Young Thug was released from prison this week, but the YSL RICO trial continues with two other codefendants and a new piece of evidence. The stabbing of YFN Lucci in 2022 while behind bars reportedly contributed heavily to how prosecutors presented the YSL RICO case and the purported danger a the feud between the two factions.

Reported YSL member, Jayden Myrick aka YSL Tripp, allegedly stabbed Lucci in March 2022, which was before the YSL RICO indictment was handed down or any arrests were made in the case. Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick aka Yak Gotti are the only two co-defendants left in the case, so any evidence left to be presented in the RICO case will be brought forth in their trial.

On Tuesday (November 7), prosecutors shared the footage from the YFN Lucci stabbing during the YSL RICO trial during the retired Fulton County Jail security head’s testimony. Prosecutors claim that this supports the notion that YSL members carried out criminal acts on behalf of the collective. Also, they allege that this stabbing resulted in the retaliatory murder of Shymel Drinks, according to local court journalist Meghann Cuniff.

Additionally, the court ordered Myrick, Lucci’s alleged assailant, to undergo a mental evaluation after he claimed that Donald Trump offered him legal advice. There is no timeline for the trial of Stillwell and Kendrick, but the YSL RICO trial has been the longest trial ever in the state of Georgia.

It has also been reported that Lucci, whose real name is Rashawn Bennett, could be getting out of prison on parole as soon as January 2025.

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YSL Juror Vows To Be Biased Against The Prosecution

November 5, 2024 by newhiphopnews

A juror in the YSL RICO case emailed Judge Paige Reese Whitaker admitting that they plan to be biased against the State no matter what happens because they’re so angry with how long the case is taking. They made the proclamation while requesting to be removed from the historically lengthy trial. “I can no longer be unbiased towards any decisions moving forward,” they wrote. From there, they projected that the case could go on for another three to six months based on how the state has been presenting its evidence.

Whitaker read the email aloud in full to the courtroom, this week. Despite the juror claiming to be biased, Whitaker decided not to remove them from the trial and blamed the state for turning the person against them. They said that they’d try to finish the case by the end of the year.

Young Thug’s Legal Team Arrives For YSL RICO Trial

Brian Steel, attorney for rapper Young Thug, right, arrives at the Fulton. County Courthouse on November 27, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Opening statements are set to begin in the case against 31-year-old US rapper Young Thug and 28 others, who are facing a racketeering indictment accusing the defendants of a number of offenses that support an overarching conspiracy charge, including murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing, and theft. (Photo by Christian MONTERROSA / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

The update comes after Young Thug accepted a plea deal to get out of jail, last week. “I take responsibility for my crimes, for my charges,” Thug said in court. “I want to say sorry to my family, my mom, my mom’s got 11 kids, I can’t say all their names, my managers, my kids.” He went on to refer to himself as a “good guy,” adding: “I find myself in a lot of stuff because I was just nice or cool, and I understand that you can’t be that way when you reach a certain height because it could end bad.”

YSL Jurors Are Getting Tired Of The Trial

Check out the moment Judge Whitaker read the juror’s email aloud in court. Since his release from prison, Thug’s linked up with T.I. and also teased having new music on the way. Be on the lookout for further updates on the YSL RICO trial on HotNewHipHop.

The State had concerns about keeping him on the case but the Judge said at this point, it’s on them if a juror is against them.

The juror is still on the case and was told they’d try to finish the case by the end of the year.

— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) November 5, 2024

[Via]

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Young Thug’s Lawyer Reveals They Turned Down Plea Offer That Would’ve Sent Him Home Today

October 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Young Thug just took a plea deal in his YSL RICO case on Thursday afternoon (October 31), pleading guilty for all charges except the RICO count and the gang leader count, for which he pleaded no contest. Basically, he neither denies nor admits the charges, but agreed to accept them, their sentence, and the fine. While writing this article, the State and the defense are making their cases for their desired sentence, which the judge will eventually make a final decision on in this non-negotiated plea deal. The State requested a sentence of 45 years with 25 years to serve and 20 on probation.

However, Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel clarified that they did not accept the State’s previous plea deal offer that would’ve had him go home today (Thursday, October 31) with 15 years of probation. He did not want to testify and did not accept the special conditions the District Attorney insisted on, and thus moved forward with this non-negotiated plea deal. This comes after various other plea developments in the YSL RICO trial. For example, Yak Gotti refused a plea deal.

Young Thug’s Attorney Discusses Previous Plea Offer

HE COULD HAVE COME HOME TODAY IF HE ACCEPTED THE PREVIOUS OFFER, BUT HE DID NOT AGREE TO THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS pic.twitter.com/9AV4HvCxXJ

— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) October 31, 2024

Still, various other YSL codefendants took plea deals, so this case began to close up more and more up until this monumental moment. Regardless, we still don’t know exactly what Young Thug’s plea deal will result in as far as a sentence, how it could change the situations of other defendants, and what the implications of this plea deal are. This is still very early in development, and the State went forward with presenting some final arguments about lyrics and alleged text messages. We still don’t know exactly what were the special conditions that Thugger and his legal team denied in their pursuit of a plea deal. Thug’s attorney Brian Steel expressed that they disagree with most of the prosecution’s arguments, and pushed back on some of their evidence and allegations arguing misrepresentation, omitted evidence, and misstatements.

Meanwhile, amid other plea deals, it seems like this case will finally end after making history as the longest criminal trial in Georgia history. We’re sure that Young Thug and company will still have a lot of legal matter to handle in the aftermath if this really is the end, which we don’t even know for sure. But everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting to see what the judge decides and what other developments could emerge. With all that in mind, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest updates.

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Yak Gotti Refuses Plea Deal Amid YSL RICO Trial

October 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Only three defendants remain in the YSL RICO case after three others accepted plea deals this week. This leaves Young Thug, Shannon Stillwell, and Yak Gotti left. Today, Yak Gotti’s attorney Douglas Weinstein revealed that his client has rejected a plea deal from the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. He added that he “fully intends to take this to the jury and get our not guilty verdicts and go home.”

The news follows Young Thug’s co-defendant, Quamarvious Nichols AKA Qua, accepting a plea deal earlier this week. He pled guilty to a RICO charge in exchange for most of his other charges including murder getting dismissed. It also comes shortly after two other co-defendants, Rodalius Ryan and Marquavius Huey, entered guilty pleas.

Yak Gotti’s Attorney Says He “Fully Intends” To Receive A Not Guilty Verdict

Yak Gotti Refuses Plea Deal Amid YSL RICO Trial — Rapper Yak Gotti attends Young Stoner Life Meet & Greet at DTLR Camp Creek on April 22, 2021 in East Point, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Ryan is currently serving a life sentence for alleged murder and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act. He was given a ten-year sentence that was commuted to time served. Huey has already been in prison for two years and also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act along with aggravated assault, robbery, gun charges, and more. He got a 25-year sentence, with nine years to be served in prison. The rest of his sentence will be spent on probation with five years suspended.

There have also been rumors of a potential mistrial circulating, as the defense demanded one after a mistake from the prosecution earlier this month. A witness accidentally revealed that one defendant was previously incarcerated which reportedly, the jury was not supposed to know. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker rejected the idea of a mistrial with prejudice, meaning Young Thug and his co-defendants couldn’t be retried. She appeared open to a mistrial without prejudice, but it remains to be seen what will play out. What do you think of Yak Gotti rejecting a plea deal amid the YSL RICO trial? Are you surprised by this or not? What about three of Young Thug’s other co-defendants taking plea deals earlier this week? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

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Young Thug Accepts Plea Deal In YSL RICO Case

October 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Young Thug has reportedly accepted a plea deal in the YSL RICO case, according to reporter Thugger Daily and court footage, and could go home today (Thursday, October 31). It’s unclear what the judge will decide as his sentence, what the plea deal entails, and other details. However, we know that this is reportedly a non-negotiated plea, which reportedly means that the judge will have the final sentencing say. The defense will ask for their ideal outcome, the state will follow with theirs, and then the judge will decide. This comes after various other plea deals in the YSL RICO case following some key deliberations over a potential mistrial and errors by the State.

Speaking of which, the State recommended a 45-year sentence with 25 years to serve followed by 20 on probation. Young Thug also affirmed in court that he was aware of the State’s previous offer that he and his team turned down in favor of this non-negotiated plea. In addition, his legal team clarified that he could have gone home today for 15 years on probation if he successfully completed said probation. Thugger wouldn’t have had to go into custody if he accepted this previous offer in question. If not, he faced probation revocation and 23 years “backloaded” in the Georgia prison system. The Atlanta rapper’s attorney Brian Steel expressed that they “could not come to terms on all the conditions that the District Attorney was insisting upon.”

Young Thug Reportedly Accepts Plea Deal

BREAKING: YOUNG THUG IS ACCEPTING A PLEA DEAL

HE MAY GO HOME TODAY. pic.twitter.com/ulUDrvvJTu

— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) October 31, 2024

Furthermore, Young Thug pleaded guilty to all counts in his indictment except the RICO count and the gang leader count. He pleaded “nolo contendre,” which basically means he neither admits nor denies the charges and simply agrees to accept them with the sentence and the fine. The State asked the court to deny this nolo plea and to only accept a guilty or non-guilty plea for those charges. However, the judge admitted this nolo plea.

Also, the State reportedly asked to seize all of Young Thug’s property such as cars and jewelry, which he did not agree with. As this is all still very early in development, it’s unclear what this will result in for the YSL RICO case. But it seems like it’s almost over.

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Young Thug Trial: Two More Co-Defendants Accept Plea Deals

October 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The YSL RICO trial is still going strong, and earlier this week, one of Young Thug’s co-defendants decided to take a plea deal. The co-defendant, Quamarvious Nichols AKA Qua, accepted the deal after days of negotiation with Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis. He pled guilty to a RICO charge, and as part of the deal, other charges against him including murder have been dismissed. Now, just a couple of days later, two more of Thugger’s co-defendants have accepted plea deals.

According to AllHipHop, Rodalius Ryan and Marquavius Huey entered guilty pleas on Wednesday (October 30). Ryan, who’s already serving a life sentence for alleged murder, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker handed him a ten-year sentence, which was commuted to time served. Huey has been behind bars for two years and also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act, along with aggravated assault, robbery, gun charges, and more. He was given 25 years, with nine to be served in prison. He’ll spend the rest of the sentence on probation, with five years suspended.

Rodalius Ryan & Marquavius Huey Enter Guilty Pleas

Young Thug Trial: Two More Co-Defendants Accept Plea Deals — Young Thug attends the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

This leaves only three defendants, Young Thug, Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell. This latest development comes amid theories that Judge Whitaker could declare a mistrial. The defense demanded one after the prosecution slipped up, and as a result, a witness said #FreeQua on the stand. The jury was not supposed to know he was previously incarcerated.

At the time, Judge Whitaker refused to grant a mistrial with prejudice, which would mean Young Thug and his co-defendants could not be retried. She did appear open to the idea of a mistrial without prejudice, however, and called out the prosecution for their mistake. What do you think of two more of Young Thug’s co-defendants accepting plea deals earlier this week? Are you surprised or not? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

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Young Thug Trial: Multiple YSL Defendants Submit Plea Deal Counter-Offers To Fani Willis

October 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Multiple defendants in the YSL RICO trial have made plea deal counter offers, which, according to FOX 5 Atlanta, are on District Attorney Fani Willis’ desk for review as of Monday afternoon. It remains unclear if the courtroom will be open to the public later in the day.

The news has social media users anxious for updates on the trial. “Omg I’m nervous. If they take pleas they doing some time,” one fan on X (formerly Twitter) theorized. Another slammed Willis as a “demon.” They wrote: “Fani Willis is a demon who kept these men in her dungeon because she NEEDS CONVICTIONS. Fani Willis knows the jury will never convict these men and she needs to stop this train wreak yet she NEEDS CONVICTIONS!” Fans have been waiting almost a year for the end of what has become the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history.

Young Thug’s Lawyers Arrive At The Fulton County Courthouse

Brian Steel, attorney for rapper Young Thug, arrives at the Fulton County Courthouse on November 27, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Opening statements will begin in the case against 31-year-old US rapper Young Thug and 28 others, who are facing a racketeering indictment accusing the defendants of a number of offenses that support an overarching conspiracy charge, including murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing, and theft. (Photo by Christian Monterrosa / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

The update comes after the case nearly ended in a mistrial, last week, after a witness read a social media post on the stand featuring the hashtag #freequa. That section of the post had been redacted for the courtroom, but mistakenly not so for the exhibit of evidence from which the witness had been reading. The hashtag implied a previous jail sentence for one of the co-defendants, of which jurors should not have been made aware. “We’re not going to be able to un-ring this bell,” defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland said at the time, as caught by Fox 5 Atlanta. “The state presented to the witness, I guess, the unredacted version [of the exhibit], didn’t prep him to not comment on it, and he did.”

YSL Rico Trial Could Be Nearing An End

Judge Paige Reese Whitaker said she wouldn’t grant an immediate mistrial with prejudice but would consider one without prejudice. This would mean the state could retry the case. Be on the lookout for further updates on the YSL RICO trial on HotNewHipHop.

Breaking: Attorneys for multiple #YSL defendants tell @FOX5Atlanta they have made counter-offers for plea deals and they’re on DA Fani Willis’ desk for approval right now. pic.twitter.com/z0PVwv0sc8

— Rob DiRienzo (@RobDiRienzo) October 28, 2024

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Young Thug Protest Erupts Outside Georgia Courthouse Amid Plea Deal & Mistrial Rumors

October 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Amid rumors that the YSL RICO case could result in more plea deals or a mistrial, the general public is demanding that they manifest. A group of protestors advocated for the end of Young Thug and company’s trial on Friday (October 25). They took to the Fulton County Courthouse to make their voices heard. This is the result of a reported error that prosecutors committed during the trial on Wednesday (October 23) that allegedly disrupted the case enough to warrant a mistrial. Per WSB-TV, prosecutors met with various defendants to explore the possibility of plea deals to get whatever they can out of the current trial.

“My message is, at what point do we say this is unfair?” protest organizer Ten Wilkerson told FOX 5 Atlanta concerning Young Thug and YSL’s RICO case. “What point does the justice system say, ‘We got it wrong?’ We either need to rethink what we’re doing and do the mistrial or dismiss the trial. And when I say try again, I don’t mean try again with the case.” However, these plea deal and mistrial rumblings might not manifest in the way that some fans think.

Footage Of Protest Advocating For Young Thug & YSL’s Freedom

Furthermore, attorney Doug Weinstein – a legal representative for Young Thug’s codefendant Yak Gotti – reportedly took to Twitter on Friday (October 25) with a statement that seemed to dismiss these rumors about plea deals and mistrials. “Anyone that tells you they know what is going on behind the scenes in YSL is misinformed,” he expressed. As for the prosecutors’ mistake in question, it seems to relate to the testimony of SlimeLife Shawty. He erroneously indicated that defendant Quamarvious Nichols had previously gone to jail while answering an inquiry about an Instagram post.

The jury was not meant to know of Nichols’ incarceration. As such, prosecutors seemingly misstepped in relaying this information in a piece of evidence. Then, the defense team for Young Thug and YSL, including Nichols’ lawyer, demanded a mistrial with prejudice. This was so that the court couldn’t retry the case. While Judge Paige Reese Whitaker denied this, she classified this move by the prosecutors as a “mistake.” Still, the judge asked the defense if they would consider a mistrial without prejudice, which would present the opportunity for a retrial. They did not reach a decision in court and reportedly talked the matter over privately. The court will reconvene on Monday (October 28) after a brief hold.

[via]

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