By Tim Darnell
Published: May. 28, 2024 at 9:29 AM EDT|Updated: May. 28, 2024 at 4:45 PM EDT
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Young Thug’s criminal gang trial resumed Tuesday after only one day of testimony last week.
On Memorial Day, the trial officially passed its six-month mark since witness testimony began.
On Tuesday the state called up an Atlanta police investigator, who testified about the 2015 shooting of Donovan Thomas Jr. Before the weeklong break, the jury heard from Thomas’ mother.
The 26-year-old was shot and killed in Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill neighborhood in an alleged gang-related incident. The investigator testified about images from the crime scene, including what appeared to be a barbershop and vehicle shot up.
Co-defendants Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick are charged in connection with the 2015 shooting.
On Tuesday afternoon the state also called up Hubbard Parker, the owner of the barbershop that was shot up in 2015.
“It was just chaotic. Everyone was on the floor,” Parker testified.
He said he heard what first sounded like “firecrackers” but then he said he saw people running.
Thomas’ murder is just one of a handful of crimes prosecutors are trying to pin on some of the defendants on trial.
Jeffery Williams - aka Young Thug - was arrested on May 9, 2022, along with 27 other suspected gang members in Buckhead as part of a 56-count indictment.
Two years later, Young Thug remains on trial in an Atlanta courtroom. The trial’s jury selection lasted longer than any other in Georgia history, and actual witness testimony itself will likely surpass state records. Both records were set by the Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal and trial of 2014-15.
The trial – which has been repeatedly plagued by arrests, charges and disruptions – began on Nov. 27, with an opening statement from Fulton County Assistant Chief District Attorney Adriane Love. Defense attorneys have repeatedly raised concerns that the trial could go on for years based on the number of witnesses the state plans to call up.
In April, prosecutors shortened their witness list to about 200 total witnesses; initially it was around 700. About 40 witnesses have since been called, and estimates are prosecutors still have more than 100 they want to call. That’s on top of how many witnesses the defense still plans to call.
Brian Steel, one of Young Thug’s attorneys, has made repeated requests that Williams be freed on bond, all of which have been denied by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville, who is overseeing the trial.
Steel has also moved for a mistrial on several occasions and has even asked Glanville to recuse himself because Steel believes the judge is unfairly hampering his defense and is more favorable to prosecutors.
Over the last two months, Glanville has voiced his frustration about the pace of the trial. He’s put pressure on defense attorneys and prosecutors to work together and come to court better prepared to move the proceedings along.
Prosecutors are attempting to show YSL, or Young Slime Life, is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous offenses. Defense attorneys say YSL is not a gang but simply the name of a record label, Young Stoner Life.
Young Thug himself is facing eight criminal counts under a federal law that was originally enacted to fight organized crime. Georgia is one of 33 states that has its own RICO law, but in the Peach State, the alleged criminal enterprises do not have to have existed as long as the federal law.
Williams is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of codeine with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; possession of a firearm; and possession of a machine gun.
Attorneys for Williams argue the artist is not the leader of an alleged gang like prosecutors claim.
A total of 18 jurors have been selected, with six of them being alternates. Two jurors have already been excused; one had a medical emergency, and the other moved out of Fulton County.
Atlanta News First is broadcasting gavel-to-gavel coverage of Young Thug’s trial on its live stream and YouTube channel.
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