ysl rico Archives - Page 8 of 17

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

November 13, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Tensions are already flaring in the newest proceedings of the YSL RICO trial. Opening statements are expected on November 27 but today in court the judge had in a “gang expert” to answer questions about the YSL outfit as a whole. After dealing with frustrating answers from the gang expert and repeated objections from the prosecution, Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel made a comment the judge didn’t appreciate.

Steel described the proceedings as a “farce” which the judge quickly hit back on. “Mr. Steel, I’d be careful about the characterization, sir. Farce is not the word I would use,” Judge Glanville responded. They had yet another exchange after the prosecution raised an objection for the form in which Steel asked a question. He disagreed with the objection. but the judge once again shut him down. “Mr. Steel, I’m the person that decides that not you. And the other thing is you keep asking him things that he may not have any knowledge base to,” Glanville replied. Check out the livestream of the events of the trial below.

Young Thug’s Lawyer Going Back And Forth With Judge

Last week, there was a new development in Young Thug’s trial that had a lot of fans and fellow rappers concerned. The judge ruled that lyrics from some of his songs would be allowed as evidence in court. The prosecution almost immediately introduced lyrics from Thug’s Juice Wrld collaboration “Bad Boy.” They claim that in the song he brags about shooting at YFN Lucci’s mother’s house.

Rappers like Killer Mike and Meek Mill quickly spoke out against the move. Mike called it an infringement on the first amendment rights of every citizen while Meek tweeted about being scared to even do interviews with everything that was being allowed in court. It’s unclear how many more songs the prosecution plans to use. What do you think of Young Thug’s lawyer getting into multiple exchanges with the judge in his case? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Meek Mill Speaks Out Against Using Rap Lyrics In Trials

November 10, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Earlier this week, it was announced that lyrics from various Young Thug songs would be allowed as evidence in his YSL RICO trial. Many online spoke out against the move immediately. Most notably, Killer Mike expressed his fear over the potential outcomes of the decision via his Instagram story. Now, Meek Mill, who has also long been an advocate for social justice and improving the justice system, is weighing in.

In a tweet, Meek explained his position. “Locking us for rapping got me scared to do a interview free Jeff free Lucci,” the post reads. It’s far from the first time Meek has weighed in on the events of Young Thug’s trial. Just last week he expressed his confidence in Thugger to beat the case. He was responding to reports that the judge was unhappy with the prosecution in the case. Meek described the trial as “messy” and consequently claimed that would help Thug beat the case. Check out Meek’s newest tweet on the trial below.

Meek Mill Says Free Young Thug And YFN Lucci

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Overnight, Meek Mill released his new collaborative album with Rick Ross. The album is called Too Good To Be True and its 17-song tracklist is packed full of impressive features. Vory, Fabolous, DJ Khaled, Teyana Taylor, The Dream, Jeremih, French Montana, Future and more appear on the album. The project also features an NBA themed remix as a bonus track with appearances from Damian Lillard and Shaq.

Meek Mill also had to recently respond to a callout from Dee-1. The New Orleans rapper took aim at Meek, Rick Ross, and Jim Jones for including violent lyrics in their songs. Subsequently, Meek clapped back on Instagram pointing out how those lyrics allowed him to transition into somebody who could be a force for good. What do you think of Meek Mill’s take on lyrics being used in trials? Let us know in the comment section below.

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YSL RICO Defendant Derontae Bebee Agrees To Plea Deal

November 8, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The newest chapter in the YSL RICO trial came from yet another defendant cutting a plea deal. The newest is Derontae Bebee who got a relatively solid plea deal in his exit from the legal proceedings. He was sentenced to 15 years via the plea deal. Though lucky for him only 5 of it is jail time and the remaining 10 are on probation. As No Jumper notes, there are only 6 active defendants left among the original 28 indicted, though one of the 6 remaining is Young Thug.

After months of delays and more than a full year behind bars Young Thug’s case is finally moving in the direction of a trial. Last week, a sitting jury was finalized for the remaining defendants. That means that the case is likely headed to trial at the currently scheduled date, later this month. Opening arguments are scheduled to commence on November 27, though estimates for how long the trial itself could last vary wildly. Check out the most recent news on the YSL RICO indictment below.

Another YSL Defendant Pleas Out

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Young Thug’s case has continued to generate support from the rap world at large. Meek Mill spoke confidently in his belief that Thugger will be able to beat his case. Sexyy Red also called for Thug to be freed while cracking jokes about how fans often say they look alike. She called Thug her “twin” in a post that also demanded his release.

Much of the delays in the trial have been to decide what is and isn’t admissible as evidence. Young Thug recently took a hit in that department as comments he made about a shooting on Lil Wayne’s tour bus were ruled admissible. The case also reopened a public debate about whether rap lyrics should be used against defendants in court. What do you think of 22 of the 28 YSL RICO defendants taking plea deals as Young Thug’s trial date approaches? Let us know in the comment section below.

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YSL RICO Trial: Judge Loses Patience With Prosecution Withholding Evidence

November 5, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The lawyers for the prosecution in the YSL RICO trial got an earful from the presiding judge this week. Judge Ural Glanville expressed his frustration at the prosecution “dripping and drabbing” their evidence while also expanding their witness list by “nearly two-thirds”. When the prosecution meekly replied that they would have an explanation for everything at the hearing on November 16, the judge handed down a stern warning. “It better be a damn good explanation or else I’m excluding all of it,” he warned.

Major steps were taken in the sprawling trial earlier this week as a jury was finally seated after nearly nine months of selection. The jury is composed of nine women (7 Black, 2 white) and three men (2 Black, 1 white ). Furthermore, barring any further complications from upcoming hearings, the trial is set to begin in earnest on November 27.

YSL Defendants Dropped To Six

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Meanwhile, another defendant was removed from the case after accepting a plea deal. Derontae Bebee submitted a guilty plea in exchange for a 15-year sentence but with only five spent behind bars. That dropped the number of defendants who will face trial later this month down to six in total.

And yet, things remain highly controversial in the case. Two weeks ago, the prosecution submitted an error-ridden list of lyrics they intended to use as evidence in the case. The use of lyrics as admissible evidence is a hotly debated topic but is a practice still allowed in Georgia. Furthermore, it’s a practice strongly advocated for by Fulton County DA Fani Willis. “I think if you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, I’m going to use it. 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,” Willis told reporters in September.

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YSL RICO Trial: Prosecution Submits Error-Ridden List Of Song Lyrics To Use As Evidence

October 29, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Prosecutors in the YSL RICO trial messed up big time this week as they formally submitted the full list of song lyrics they intend to use as evidence in the case. The extensive list includes misattributed lyrics, incorrect release dates, and lyrics from songs completely unrelated to YSL. In one example, one of the lyrics listed is actually from a YNW Melly song. Check out the prosecution’s full list below.

The use of lyrics as evidence is a pretty controversial topic, with several states having passed laws to restrict the practice. However, it’s considered admissible in Georgia, and something the Fulton County DA has vocally supported. “I think if you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, I’m going to use it. 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. I’m not targeting anyone, but you do not get to commit crimes in my county and then decide to brag on it. Which you do as a form of intimidation, and not be held responsible,” Fani Willis told reporters at the start of September.

Young Thug Comments About Lil Wayne Shooting Ruled Admissable

Note – The state has made some mistakes, such as attributing lyrics to the wrong song, putting incorrect release dates, or even listing lyrics belonging to rappers that aren’t in the YSL RICO case, such as YNW Melly. pic.twitter.com/k2IFkH0fgz

— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) October 27, 2023

However, it’s not just lyrics that are being used against the YSL defendants. Young Thug’s 2015 conversation with police about his YSL co-defendant shooting up Lil Wayne’s tour bus was ruled as admissable evidence last week. “[Young Thug] waived his Miranda rights before speaking with Detective Raissi and Agent Cunningham. His statements to them were voluntary and thus admissible. The evidence presented showed that [Young Thug] voluntarily waived his Miranda rights, despite his refusal to sign the Miranda waiver form, after [Young Thug] was read his rights. An oral waiver of Miranda is a proper waiver of such rights,” Judge Glanville said.

Earlier this year, the YSL member who was convicted of the bus shooting, Jimmy “PeeWee” Winfrey, was arrested in Las Vegas. Winfrey had been on the run since 2022, going underground after the initial indictments against YSL were handed down. He was indicted on four charges relating to the RICO case and later extradited to Georgia from Nevada. Winfrey was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the bus shooting but was released in 2020. This was due to efforts to lower prison populations during the early days of the pandemic. Furthermore, he is expected to face re-trial and re-sentencing on the shooting charges.

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Young Thug Reportedly Wants Killer Mike, T.I., & Lyor Cohen On The Witness Stand

October 16, 2023 by newhiphopnews

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.

Young Thug Wants To Win

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.

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Young Thug’s First Felony Conviction Came From Current YSL Attorney

September 17, 2023 by newhiphopnews

YSL defense attorney Suri Chadha Jimenez has claimed he gave Young Thug his first-ever felony charge. According to Jimenez, who was speaking on the nuances of the current RICO case, he prosecuted Thug on a weapons charge back in 2014. Jimenez began his career as a prosecutor before going on to set up his own law firm as a defense attorney. Furthermore, Jimenez’s name has popped up throughout the trial as the attorney has gotten something of his own spotlight.

Meanwhile, prosecutors in Georgia successfully lobbied for the resumption of the larger YSL trial. Thug and seven other defendants are facing a litany of charges relating to the group’s operations in Atlanta. However, it has been a long and tortured process. Despite the trial starting in January, jury selection is currently ongoing. It is unclear when the trial proper will actually begin. Meanwhile, things were complicated further when Fulton County also indicted Donald Trump and over a dozen associates on charges relating to his interference in the 2020 election.

Read More: Young Thug demands speedy trial

Gunna Says “Free Thug” At First Concert

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Elsewhere in the sprawling YSL trial, Gunna made comments about his YSL peer at his first concert since being released from jail last year. Performing at the Barclay Center last weekend, Gunna opened the show with a large “Free Jeffery” sign lit up. Young Thug’s legal name is Jeffrey Williams Jr. While Gunna released his first post-jail album, A Gift & a Curse, earlier this year, he hadn’t yet performed live. That all changed with an electric concert in front of a sold-out crowd in New York.

While many fans were over the moon to see Gunna return to the stage, not everyone was happy. Gunna is still carrying a lot of stigma over the plea deal he took in the YSL RICO case. Gunna’s December 2022 jail release came after he took a plea deal and acknowledged that YSL was a criminal gang. Furthermore, Gunna’s sentence would be completely terminated after completing community service. This has led many to label Gunna a rat and a coward. These people believe that he sold out Thug and the other members of YSL.

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YSL RICO Trial To Resume Following YSL Polo Conviction

September 7, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The YSL RICO trial is still in its discovery phase and had been on pause for a while. The reason for the pause was YSL Polo, whose real name is Cordarius Dorsey. He was facing separate murder charges for an incident in 2020. That trial had to be completed before the YSL trial as a whole could move forward. As of today, he’s been found guilty of the murder and will begin his path towards sentencing while the YSL trial will be restarted. YSL Polo was removed from the rest of the YSL RICO defendants last week after a viral video made the rounds of him behaving strangely, causing Young Thug’s lawyer to move for severance.

Young Thug has been in police custody since last May as a result of the YSL RICO indictment. Thug, Gunna, and numerous other notable YSL affiliates were among 28 arrested. The group were hit with 56 different crimes as a part of the massive RICO indictment. Even more, charges were tacked on after police executed numerous searches and discovered more illegal substances and weapons. The indictments shocked many fans and fellow rappers and began a movement to free Thugger that hasn’t slowed down in the year since.

YSL Polo Convicted Of Second Murder

YSL Polo convicted of on-camera shooting https://t.co/aaxpUpIbsL

— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) September 7, 2023

Earlier this year, Young Thug dropped his new album Business Is Business. The project was executive produced by Metro Boomin on Thugger’s behalf while he was incarcerated. The album sports an absolutely stacked feature list including Drake, Future, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, and more. It went on to debut at number two on the Hot 100. The album has been one of the biggest selling rap projects of 2023 so far.

The biggest hit from the Business Is Business “Oh U Went” with Drake is still on the Hot 100 this week. What do you think of YSL Polo being convicted of another murder just days after bizarre video of his behavior hit the internet? Let us know in the comment section below.

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