by Jeroslyn JoVonn
November 2, 2023
The Young Thug YSL trial is finally set to begin now that after more than 10 months a jury has been selected.
The Young Thug YSL trial is finally set to begin now that after more than 10 months a jury has been selected.
In what’s become the longest jury selection in Georgia judicial history, rapper Young Thug, real name Jeffery “Young Thug” Williams, is finally headed to trial, Rolling Stone reports. Nine women and three men were selected to determine if Williams is guilty of orchestrating the 2015 drive-by murder of Donovan “Peanut” Thomas.
The “Lifestyle” rapper is facing RICO charges in connection with allegedly leading Atlanta’s YSL gang in a war against rival gangs that left multiple people wounded or dead. 28 people were included in the original indictment, including Sergio “Gunna” Kitchens, with only seven remaining in the case.
Gunna and Williams’ brother Quantavious “Unfoonk” Grier accepted plea deals and received lengthy probation sentences instead of staying in jail. Meanwhile, Thug has been incarcerated in Cobb County jail since May 2022 awaiting trial that will determine his fate.
The trial is now scheduled to begin on November 27, the Monday after Thanksgiving. Jurors were instructed on how to get into and out of the courtroom without interacting with the public and are being prevented from posting anything related to the trial on social media, as it would lead to a mistrial in what’s already become the longest-running criminal case in Georgia history.
“You’re going to tell on yourselves, or somebody is going to tell on you,” Judge Ural Glanville said. “We’ve taken a long time – 10 months – to assemble a jury that is fair, just and lawful. Be mindful of the admonitions of this court.”
It remains unclear if Thug’s rap lyrics will be used against him during the trial. In June, he spoke on this from a prerecorded phone call that was played at Hot 97’s Summer Jam, Vulture reports.
“I always use my music as a form of artistic expression, and I see now that Black artists and rappers don’t have that freedom,” he said. “Everybody please sign the Protect Black Art petition and keep praying for us. I love you all.”
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